Colette (2018)

'Colette' is a bio-pic about the French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who is best known in this country for writing the source material for the Oscar winning 1950's musical 'Gigi'. More then half a century before that movie came out Colette wrote a series of semi-autobiographical novels featuring an alter ego named Claudine. These novels were tremendously successful and spawned a wave of early merchandising, 'Claudine' beauty creams ect.

The novels were originally attributed to her husband, and that marriage is really the core of the story here. Henry Gauthier-Villars, an author and editor was responsible for launching her career, but also tried to control it and didn't always make kind or wise decisions, in fact they often weren't. The marriage would end in divorce and Colette would continue writing, as well as a long homosexual relationship that started late in her marriage. Leads Keira Knightly and Dominic West are very strong in this. A story that was added much by my unfamiliarity with it. Kind of an audacious piece. ***1/2 

Army of One (2016)

 'Army of One' is inspired by the true story of Gary Faulkner, a fifty something Colorado handyman on kidney dialysis who believes that God has instructed him to hunt down and capture Osama bin Laden. Gary actually went to Pakistan several time in the aughts in an effort to complete this mission. Faulkner is played by Nic Cage, and it is a committed performance and a unique characterization. God is played by Russell Brand. Unfortunately the film is just so odd, and its lead so grating that the movie only occasionally worked for me. Director Larry Charles has made a career out of such grating characters as Borat, Bruno, and Larry David. Wendi McLeandon-Covey plays Gary's unusually supportive girl friend. ** and half of that grade is just for Nic Cage going all in on this thing. 

Going Beserk (1983)

 In 'Going Beserk' John Candy is the co-owner of a limo service and engaged to the daughter of a congressman running for president (Pat Hingel). The congressman is investigating the leader of a religious cult (Richard Libertini) who has John kidnapped and then hypnotized by an aerobics class as part of a plot to hypnotize his perspective father in law at the wedding. Eugene Levy plays a sleazy movie producer, Ernie Hudson a man who sets his family on fire, and the mom from 'The Wonder Years' (Alley Mills) is John's fiancé. A really silly movie which I had previously seen about 5 minuets of around 30 years ago. **1/2

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

 I came into 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' with low expectations, it's not a property I'm familiar with and what little I'd heard about the film critically was that it was just okay. Those low expectations where doubtless a factor, but Shang-Chi has proved to be easily my favorite of the three post 'Endgame' Marvel movies so far. It doesn't even feel all that much like a superhero movie until near the end, more like a marital arts, family/crime drama that happens to be set in the MCU.

With it's strong cultural ethnic element the obvious point of reference here is 'Black Panther', which is the better movie, though this one wasn't bad. The film even boasts the return of a largely forgotten figure from an earlier film which proved to be the character return I didn't know I wanted. Some people find Awkwfina to be a little much, but I think she dialed it down enough that it works here. Simu Liu is a little bland, but a likable enough lead. ***

The Great Outdoors (1988)

 'The Great Outdoors', more like the middling outdoors. I remember catching part of this on what I think was a network TV showing circa 1990, but had never seen it all the way through. Directed by Mr. Lea Thompson, Howard Deutch it's great to see John Candy and Dan Aykroyd on screen in something that is essentially new to me. The John Hughesness of the John Hughes screenplay is almost overpowering, even if this is clearly one of his lesser works. All the pieces are there but it never came fully together emotionally for me, the way his best movies do. Lucy Deakins is in this, and man it's been a long time since I've seen her. **1/2.  

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021)

 'Groundhog Day' crossed with a John Green novel. ***

City Hall (1996)

 At the beginning of 'City Hall' a 6 year old black boy is killed in the cross fire of a police shooting in North Brooklyn. The movie focuses on how the Mayor's off ice handles the fall out, and of course there is a corruption angle. Al Pacino is the Mayor, John Cusack his deputy. David Paymer and Danny Aiello are in this, Martin Landau plays a judge. Also staring Bridget Fonda (Peter's daughter) who was briefly a thing in the 90's before marrying Danny Elfman and starting a family. I liked the politics centric first half, didn't so much care for the mystery centered second half. **1/2