Film Arts - Movies & Festivals - Reviews

The Documentary “The Edge of democracy about recent events in Brazil had me sitting at the edge of my seat. It chronicles the passage from years of dictatorship to democracy in Brazil.  Brazilian filmmaker Petra Costa recounts with old and new footage the rise and fall of democracy in Brazil from 1985 to the present. Now streaming on Netflix.

The film is a reminder of the long and difficult work that victory took in a political climate in which all things progressive are at risk. No such victory can be taken for granted. "Freedom to Mary"  introduces us to the people who worked for decades for the fight for marriage equality which led to the 2015 Supreme Court ruling making it legal for gay people to marry in all 50 states.

The film 'The white Crow' beautifully interweaves Nureyev’s past from the day he is born in a train, with the film's present event of a trip to France in 1961 when Nureyev is put under dire pressure and defects. His dancing was unique in that he wanted to break with the traditional male clasical ballet dancer role; he wanted to be more expressive and center stage as female dancers are traditionally poised to be in classical ballet. 

Wine Country is a hybrid. It was released theatrically on Wednesday the first week of May and it was available for streaming the following Friday. This almost simultaneous accessibility is a trend. The film celebrates our locale and this double venue situation gives more people a chance to view it. The plot, if there is one, revolves around six women who want to honor one of the group's fiftieth birthday. What better place to do this than the Napa Valley.

What we are witnessing is a major upheaval in the film industry. Unlike the advent of sound and the demise of the studio system, which were also extreme changes, the fact that cable companies have gradually been creating their own products has not been met with tumult or notoriety. The transition has been fairly smooth with only some derision by the established media. Netflix has been the leader in this movement, but Amazon and Hulu are close behind and recently Apple has joined the group. The flicks produced are neither cheap nor hastily formatted. Often times films are given a brief theatrical release before they are ensconced in the streaming platform. Most display strong production values and star A-list actors. Despite his recent multiple stints in rehab, how much more A-list one can get than the two time Oscar winner, producer, director and general heart throb, Ben Affleck? This brings us to Triple Frontier from Netflix. The title refers to the borders between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. 

The San Francisco Film Festival opens April 10th and goes to April 23rd. For those of you who enjoyed last month’s Sonoma International Film Festival and the Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, this one is much bigger and more celebrities attend. The highlight for me at Sonoma was meeting Julia Ormond, who came for her opening night premiere of “Ladies in Black”. Opening this month at your local theater is “The Best of Enemies” starring my friend and recent Oscar winner Sam Rockwell and Taraji P Henson. The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. Could Sam earn his third Oscar nomination in 3 years? Let’s hope! It opens April 5th. Also opening this weekend is “Shazam!” starring Zachary Levi. A fun superhero movie where teenager Billy Batson tests out his newfound powers. For my live theater fans there is “Jesus Christ Superstar” directed by the very talented Lesley McCauley who has been directing at the Junior College for over 20 years. And so much more...

I can't believe Summer is over! The great thing about September is that the Oscar caliber films start coming out. The one I'm excited about is “The Goldfinch” starring Nicole Kidman, Ansel Elgort and Luke Wilson. It comes out September 13th. Opening September 20th is “Downton Abbey” starring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery and more great film releases. For my live theater fans this is a busy month. 

Quentin Tarantino has a penchant for pop culture references. His scenes are often dialogue driven and the conversations tend to be quirky and satirical. Although he detests actual violence, his work is permeated with violent situations that are stylistic and bizarre. He says he will make ten movies and then retire to write novels and screenplays. His latest Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is his 9th. Let's check out the other eight that are all available on DVD.

What does it means to be separated from one’s family of origin and home and how can one re-find them? Bella went off on what begins as a walk down a street and becomes a 400-mile quest into the wilderness. The film reminds me that I am my dog’s “person.”  The film also reveals how dogs might think. For example, Bella is on a quest to “Go Home!” as she keeps reminding us.

For those of you who like to see movies in the theater, you will be happy to know there are seven amazing movies opening this month in theaters. Starting with “The Farewell”. It stars Awkwafina as a granddaughter who is devoted to her grandmother who she finds out is dying. Fans of “Oceans 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians” will love Awkwafina in a dramatic role. It opens August 2nd.

Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler can now be seen again as husband and wife in a Netflix original available at your convenience for streaming in a caper called Murder Mystery. The pair do have an easy chemistry, a relaxed intimacy. Nick and Audrey Spitz have been married for 15 years. She is a hairdresser and a mystery buff. He is a cop who has just failed his detective test. 

The biggest show of the year, the Monte Rio Variety Show will take place at the Monte Rio Amphitheater on Thursday July 25. Join us for a special evening of music, comedy and theater. With a uniquely wide range of acts, from Jazz to Classical, from Country to Rock, the Monte Rio Variety Show has been a Russian River tradition for 108 years.

This year, the 4th of July falls on a Thursday so you can catch up on movies you missed in June on Saturday and Sunday. “Late Night” starring Emma Thompson is a movie you should see in the theater. Thompson will definitely be nominated for best actress at the Oscars next year.  Another movie you should see in the theater is “Toy Story 4”. This is the best sequel ever made. Watch it to break all box office records! This is an exciting month for Marvel movie fans. Yes, “Spider-Man Far From Home” comes out July 2. It stars Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal and Samuel L Jackson. Peter Parker’s relaxing European vacation takes an unexpected turn when Nick Fury suddenly shows up in his hotel room. Parker soon finds himself donning the Spider-man suit to help Fury and fellow superhero Mysterio battles an evil new threat.

Author, recovering addict and subject of the film Beautiful Boy Nic Sheff will be speaking at Healdsburg Library on Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. as part of Sonoma County Library’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Community members are invited to attend the free event.