WE LIVE IN TIME with Andrew Garfield/Florence Pugh is Out of Sync

The 2024 film WE LIVE IN TIME now screening on Apple+ is a love story starring Andrew Garfield ("Spiderman") and Florence Pugh ("Oppenheimer"). Both actors are wonderful on screen and together but the structure of the film jumps around in time too much so that it becomes frenetic and disruptive to the emotional impact of the story. Almut (Pugh) is a chef who inadvertently "runs over" Tobias (Garfield) in a scene that looked deadly but brought the two together in the hospital hallway. (Why he isn't in a bed recovering is just one of the minor enigmas that mount into a stupefying placement of scenes that are somewhere between the couple's auspicious beginnings to Almut's infertility struggles and pregnancy, to their breaking-up, to Almut's burgeoning career, her two bouts with cancer and to giving birth in the convenience store's crapper.  Some of the scenarios are ridiculously lame as in the later, but some are very touching as well as when the two discuss Almut's option whether to pursue more treatments or the shaving of Almuts scalp aided by Tobias and their adorable daughter. The montage of celebratory moments at a carnival riding the carousel and bumper cars is delightful. However, the movie is plagued by its confusing structure intended at being clever by inferring life's momentous events are relived in our non-chronological memories. Furthermore, some superfluous scenes should have been edited out all together, as in the first family dinner where it was revealed Almut was an olympic figure skater or the pregnant belly laden with chocolate biscuits bobbing in the bathtub. The movie was entertaining thanks to the charms of Garfield and Pugh who were easy to watch and root for. The director of WE LIVE IN TIME should've entrusted their appeal and not have bandied about the movie fraught with its misfirings of scattered sequences in time. 

ANORA-A Dark Comedy that Shines with Mikey Madison as Its Star

ANORA is not your typical heroine, nor your typical comedy. It's atypically disarming with Mikey Madison in the lead as Ani, an exotic dancer who gets romanced by a young Russian, Ivan. Ivan (Mark Eydelsheyn) the prodigal son of wealthy oligarch parents meets Ani at the topless strip club where she works. Ani gets assigned to entertain Ivan because she speaks Russian. Luckily for her, Ivan is a big tipper and she happily agrees to see him outside of work. Ani arrives at his home and thinks she hit the jackpot with a wealthy client who can't seem to get enough of her. The two negotiate a rate for spending a week with him (not unlike "Pretty Woman"). Unlike "Pretty Woman" Ani has a lot more going for her than just a dazzling smile. Madison's portrayal should've earned her the Golden Globe. Ani is more than just a street smart sex worker. She's totally captivating and heartbreaking. When Ivan proposes marriage on their Vegas spending spree we watch her fairytale romance become a nightmare. Ivan's extravagant lifestyle and hard partying dazzled Ani, as did the 3 carat ring and sable coat. The appeal wears thin as she realizes Ivan, her spouse after a quick Vegas wedding, is a louse and has no interest outside of sex and video games. The honeymoon is definitely over when Ivan's parents get wind of this whirlwind marriage and send their lackey Priest and Russia thugs to end it. Ivan makes a break for it when the Russians barge into the home. Ani gets tied up by the bumbling Russian mob but not before Ani lands a few blows. The movie takes an energetic turn for the better as the battered thugs along with Ani, head out to find Ivan. The Russians, to end their marriage and Ani, to prove their marriage is the real deal. Their search takes them on an excruciatingly funny and exhausting escapade over night through Brooklyn haunts. They locate an inebriated and in-flagrant Ivan who they drag him to meet his furious parents. The parents have just landed in their private plane and commandeered their son and the situation. With the light of day Ani sees things clearly but she will not go quietly into the night. Madison's tour-de-force performance portrays a tough broad with unabashed intensity that when her carapace finally cracks, we're ambushed by her vulnerability and emotional pratfall. The biting, social parody of the wealthy and entitled assuming a given sovereignty is hilarious. Even so, the affecting power of ANORA is a quiet alliance that forms between those being exploited. ANORA is at times annoying but more often alluring thanks to an incredible performance by Madison which is sure to be noted. 

Demi Moore THE SUBSTANCE-More Crap DON'T PARTAKE Big Mistake

Demi Moore just won her first acting award, a Golden Globe for THE SUBSTANCE which is a film that is full of crap. Whether Moore or her co-stars, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid do an admirable acting job is not questionable. It's just inconceivable how something this terrible ever made it to the big screen. There's no substance of merit to mention. I won't bother to belabor how laborious it was to watch.  I watched it on fast forward and it was still horrid. I will not waste anymore time on this disastrous mistake. Please, don't make the same mistake - forsake THE SUBSTANCE, it's shit!

Community Narrative Night at 222 in Healdsburg

Who comes out on a Sunday night during the NFL playoffs and the Golden Globes? Almost no one. The community narrative night, which is open mic and free to the public, offers the opportunity for writers to share their craft in an intimate setting. There were only four courageous souls who showed up to share for only two attentive audience members (myself included). One woman shared her writing of a contemplative hike she took through somewhat muddy and treacherous trails. "The wind swept the side of indeterminate distance that marked the curve - Every step must be taken carefully." I found the presenter an appealing raconteur with a melodic and expressive voice that was pleasing to the ear. Her syntax was simplistic,  "I look down, I look down. How much further to go?" She ran into some inclement weather although she found herself "a cozy spot, till it stops." But, perhaps that was more a metaphor for life as the next day she received news of a close friend in ICU in a coma. "Can I go on? Make it back? "

Another woman. Erin shared her affinity to caring for a black crow, Joey Crow, that she nursed back to health. Unfortunately, she wasn't as successful with other birds she took under her wing. Her grief with the bird who flew off, those never able to and the children she reckoned she would never have were inconsolable. "It's hard to love something knowing how much you need them." I found her reading very intimate and brave. 

A 60 something gentleman shared a writing on his lifelong desire to become an underwater photographer. His childhood ambition began as a fan of Lloyd Bridges' TV show from the 60s where he was a scuba diver. His childhood dream took a backseat to his teens but resurfaced in midlife with a wife and child and construction business. I found his traversing life and passion for tuba diving diverting and inspiring. I was taken aback by a harrowing experience on the beach where a man in scuba gear was rushed on shore and his instructor ran to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation until emergency workers took over. His instructor told him, "I hate sucking face with a deadman." 

Bravo to all those who shared and the two (one is me) who cared to listen.

ONCE UPON a MATTRESS with Sutton Foster-The Show that Should R.I.P,

Sutton Foster is your triple threat theatrical star who can sing, dance and act to some degree but she is not reason enough to sit through this tired, silly musical whose appeal has long since dried up. I saw this show at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles at it's closing Thursday matinee performance. Matinees typically bring out the grey haired set and perhaps the precocious preteen theater kids and this matinee's demographics leaned heavily to both ends; over 75 and under 12. For the minority of attendees in the majority age range, it was a tedious musical to wallow through with little to do but grin and bear it. The talents of Foster in the lead as the likable, laughable Princess Winnifred wishing to marry Prince Dauntless (Michael Urie, "Shrinking") were well cast but alas, they were not able to breath life into this dated show derived from a Hans Christian Anderson tale. This Anderson tale had appeal only for the fairytale fan club. The original music for the Broadway production which opened back in 1959 was by Mary Rodgers, the daughter of legendary composer Richard Rodgers. It did not need to be revived for Broadway or any other large scale theatrical release. The campiness, cartoonish characters and slapstick humor were all long in the tooth and short on charm. The Queen (Ana Gasteyer,  former SNL cast member) makes those wishing to marry her son pass impossible tasks thereby holding onto her reign of her kingdom. The humor is inane throughout. The childlike King is mute due to a wicked spell. He tries to explain the birds and bees in a ridiculous pantomime to his dolt of a son. The other parallel love story between a nitwit knight and a lady in waiting, waiting to marry him, belabors the moronic storytelling. Watching ONCE UPON a MATTRESS was onerous for most of us who attend the theater intending to be entertained.  

The Day of theJACKAL Stars Eddie Redmayne in this Lame Hit Man Series

I'm peeved that I paid for Peacock in order to watch "The Day of the Jackal". I feel swindled. The new 10 part series stars Eddie Redmayne as the highly paid assassin and Lashana Lynch as Bianca, the M16 operative determined to capture him. I'm determined to finish this international espionage series even though I've fallen asleep at some point during three of the episodes. This doesn't bode well, but neither does Redmayne as the Jackal with an Achilles heel; his sexy, hot headed Spanish wife (Ursula Cordero)            and their year old son. Even when in disguise, Redmayne's boyish good looks come through. His wholesome appeal doesn't hit the mark as an elite marksman and cold blooded killer. His nemesis, Bianca, a heavy set woman has problems at home with her husband and teenage daughter. She doesn't fare any better with the same pouty mouth and stoic face in every place and situation. Bianca's time consuming career pushes her loved ones to the rear. The plodding plot is masked with stunning scenery of worldwide capitals. This is not enough to cover for all the cliched characters and tropes. Oh no, there's a mole in M16 headquarters. Who it is, is obvious from the get go. There's a financial entrepreneur whose persona is so typecast it's farcical. He's going to bring down the 1% (of which he's also one) and shake up the wealthy establishment. Charles Dance plays his typical villainous stereotype. Dance hired the Jackal to take down the entrepreneur before he causes a financial revolution. Ho Hum. The backstory of the Jackal comes late in the series and it's a serious misfire. The best that can be said of this dormant thriller is the sultry, distrustful wife of the Jackal who's on to him. In fact, she could teach the jackal a thing or two and just might. The wife's schlubby brother who keeps hitting up his brother-in-law for money is a hoot to boot. But, I want my money back for paying from Peacock for which I'm going to have to take a hit. 

Melinda's Top Movie Music Theater or Dance Events of 2024

The following is my top ten picks for the best of the year in the arts in alphabetical order:

1. Alvin Ailey rehearsal dance rehearsal for Alvin Ailey's choreography that was edited from his classic "REVELATIONS" work at their studio in NYC,. Lucky me I got to see Alvin Ailey Dance Theater rehearse in their NYC studios. I regret I missed their repertoire at City Center (Nov-Dec).

2.  American Idiot -Green Day's musical at the Ahmanson performed by the West Theater Deaf Co.

3.  Aya piano trio at the 222 played Beethoven, Brahms and Beach.

4.  An Evening with Lonnie Cheng - Comedian dishes hilariously on IVF, family and current events.  

5.  DAUGHTERS - Documentary that reunites daughters with their incarcerated fathers - unforgettable.

6.  Ellington and Strayhorn's HARLEM NUTCRACKERS performed by Marcus Shelby's Jazz Orch at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg. 

7.   Lady Gaga sings jazz at the Park MGM in Las Vegas.

8.   GHOSTLIGHT - a healing and haunting family drama with an odd lot cast of Shakespearean actors.

9.   Van Morrison - and his band at the Luther Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa.

10,  MY OLD ASS - Aubrey Plaza stars in a coming of age, time travel film that's funny and magical. 

11.  RIPLEY - Andrew Scott and Dakota Manning star in an artsy black/white remake of THE TALENTED MAGIC RIPLEY.

Okay that's 11 - So be it!  

 

Comedy Series LAID-Lethal Vagina Enigmal is Lively then Trying

The new Peacock comedy series stars a lively duo of femme fatale pals that are looking for love while finding a trail of past lovers dying in a seemingly sequential order. Women comedy duos have a history from Lucy and Vivian, Mary and Rhoda and more recently, Tina and Amy. The dynamic, loquacious ladies in LAID are Ruby (Stephanie Hsu, "Joy Ride") and AJ (Zosia Mamet, "The Flight Attendant"). The two  roommates and best friends since their college days. Both are searching to find mr. right and are feeling the doldrums of being single while their other friends are getting married. Ruby is particularly put out when she learns her first lover passed on. Ruby convinces AJ to accompany her to the funeral where she is received as a guest of honor (except from the deceased's current girlfriend) for a macabre mix of laughs and gaffs. A former male friend of the deceased and former flame of Ruby's strike up a flirtation at the wake that ends in a fatal accident in front of Ruby. When the girls learn of a third boyfriend's passing,  AJ tells Ruby, "Two is a coincidence. Three is a pattern." And so the sexy, sly sleuths set on a mission to alert the list of Ruby's liaisons of their pending doom. Ruby and AJ have perfected the fast talking chatter familiar to "Gilmore Girls" fans and they make a funny, likable pair of "30 Something" friends. But, after a few episodes, these garrulous gals lose their flare as the LAID falls back on tried and true tropes found in typical rom/coms. Ruby sleeps with AJ's current beau after a night of stoning and self-loathing only to hate herself for her betrayal. Another, sappy rom/com meme is the seemingly perfect guy for Ruby except he's her client and has a serious girlfriend. The two share a passion for rom/coms and parlay lines from "When Harry Met Sally" to each other and share a love of musicals. They even named the same favorite, animated musical, "Beauty and the Beast". The laughs land fast and furious in the first few episodes. The premise of past lovers pushing daisies seemed promising but petered with little if anything other than sex as the jest of their past fling. There are two basic reasons to watch LAID; its two indefatigble leads Hsu and Mamet (Zosia is David Mamet's daughter) as besties. Their charisma and chemistry keeps the show alive as the death tolls mount, and the mystery misfires. Even when Ruby is at her most annoying, it's delightful knowing the two girls remain steadfast friends to the end. Despite Ruby being toxic to exes, the two make a strong comedy duo of the feminine sexes. 

A DIFFERENT MAN-A Very Different Dark/Comedy Written/Directed by Aaron Schimberg

The central character of A DIFFERENT MAN is Edward (Sebastian Stan), with grotesquely disfigured  facial features associated with neurofibromatosis:, a.k.a Elephant Man Syndrome. Edward lives alone with his cat in a rundown apartment in New York City. His apartment ceiling has an ominous dark hole on its ceiling which continues to leak and expand. We follow an abject Edward on public transportation. We see how he perceives repulsion or aversion from others. The new, next door neighbor Ingrid (Renata Reinsve) is startled and gasps when she first meets Edward. But, glamorous and garrulous Ingrid knocks first on his door to borrow detergent. A kinship, with a whiff of something more, ensues between the meek, lonely Edward and outgoing Ingrid in what is referred to later as a Beauty and the Beast relationship. Edward tells Ingrid of his acting aspirations (although his acting talent is abysmal aside from his hideous appearance). Ingrid tells Edward of her playwright aspirations, although she had yet to write anything, Meanwhile, Edward has become part of a medical study for a treatment to erase the tumors on his face. It's a miracle! He sheds the outer-layer of his facial skin in a horror-movie like scene and transforms into a handsome looking man. Edward assumes a new identity as Guy and informs his miracle worker Dr. and landlord that Ed is dead. From here the film moves slightly into the future. The new "Guy" is now a successful realtor. He has girlfriends and a busy social life. One would expect Guy to feel himself the luckiest guy in the world but his persona proves very different and perplexing. Some time passes and Guy spots Ingrid on the streets and follows into a small off-Broadway theater with a billboard out front that reads EDWARD a play written and directed by Ingrid. Guy reads for the part and is cast in the lead role. The play is basically taken from the experiences between Edward and Ingrid. Ingrid and Guy become a couple. But, this happy interlude for Guy turns to turmoil when Oswald (Adam Pearson, an actor with neurofibromatosis) walks into the theater and usurps Guy's lead role. Oswald is charming, debonaire, and quite the ladies' man despite his badly distorted face. Guy's frustrations lead him off the deep-end and he sabotaged himself at work and with friends by wearing the mask that molded off his prior face.The play within the "movie" is clever and fun to watch until it ends in a disaster, especially for Guy. The messages here feel blurry and mixed. Does beauty lie in the eye of the beholder? Do looks define a person? Is it easier to change one's outward appearance rather than one's inner self? This beguiling and original film is lumped with peculiar moments that are startling and oftentimes puzzling. One scene in which Oswald sings karaoke is hauntingly beautiful. I recommend A DIFFERENT MAN for discerning movie lovers looking for something very different from your usual holiday fare or blockbuster feature. 

JUROR #2-Clint Eastwood's Courtroom Drama Earns a C+

Clint Eastwood, movie star, award winning director is 94 and still making movies. JUROR #2 is an old fashioned courtroom drama that casts doubt on his current filmmaking prowess. The problems in the plot render a C+ verdict despite convincing performances by Toni Collette as the prosecuting attorney, Chris Messina as the defense attorney and Nicholas Holt as Justin, a.k.a. juror #2. The promising premise places Justin onto the jury of a murder trial. The jury pool is questioned by the judge for any conflicts of interest. Justin's plea to be excused rests with his high risk pregnant wife (Zoey Deutch) needing him home. This doesn't fly with the judge and he's seated as juror #2. The reluctance to serve was relatable. Soon, the real conflict of interest is revealed. Justin may be the actual culprit culpable of vehicular manslaughter and defendant, innocent of the murder charge. In flashback Justin is placed at the scene of the conflict in a bar down the road from the scene of the crime. The defendant and his girlfriend (played by Eastwood's daughter) were witnessed engaged in a heated altercation at the same bar in question.  Fact, Justin left the bar at the same time as the boyfriend and was driving nearby when he struck something (or someone?) on the road. Justin exits his car in the rainstorm to check for evidence of what he may have hit. He's unable to see anything other than a conveniently placed deer crossing sign. This seemingly innocent fender bending accident is dismissed by Justin who continues home to his pregnant wife. Only now that he is on the jury does Justin recall to the best of his ability, the incident. Justin turns to his AA leader, who's also an attorney (Keiffer Sutherland) for legal advice. The questionable advice he receives for $1 (to insure confidentiality) is beyond a reasonable doubt, if not immoral. "Don't inform anyone of this. You're likely to be charged with vehicular manslaughter. With your past DUI, you are likely be found guilty and sentenced to 30 years." The drama in the courtroom is only mildly entertaining. More enjoyable are the warring attorney's bombastic styles which belies their friendly banter outside the courts at the local bar. J.K. Rowlings is winning as a juror who gets dismissed for doing detective work (his former occupation) outside the trial which could influence the outcome. But the jury deliberations are shamelessly,  cliched facsimiles of "12 Angry Men". An implausible philosophical discussion between the prosecutor, now the newly elected D.A., and Justin on a bench outside the court house is circumspect and lacking in conviction.  The surprise verdict is not the whole unsatisfying, surprise ending. Perhaps now 94, Eastwood should take heed from his Dirty Harry character, who said, "A good man always know his limitations."