A Real Pain

Grandma Dory, a Polish Holocaust survivor (from a thousand miracles), has passed away.  Two of her grandsons, to honor her passing, travel to Poland as part of a small Jewish based tour group with a side trip to the family home.  Cousins sometimes have the opportunity to be raised closely, forming a sibling-like relationship, as we come to understand is the case with David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin).  Families also grow apart as their life choices cause deep chasms in those once close bonds.  However, the differences between these two are so pronounced, you’ll wonder if they ever shared anything more than some dna.  To a musical background of gorgeous selections by Chopin, we are treated to a view of Poland that I, as a half-Czech, wouldn’t have had on my vacation destination bucket list, but I could be persuaded as long as it included going South.  The relationship between this odd couple and their interactions with the guide and group and experiences are the core to this gem of a film (it left off the phrase “in the tuchas”).  Rating:  Odpowiedzią jest miłość (Love is the answer) 3.5 stars

Lee

Could I imagine anyone else portraying Lee Miller other than Kate Winslet?  Honestly, no.  She narrates and trudges determinately into this recollection of Ms Miller’s shift from Vogue model to first American female photo journalist combat correspondent for said fashion magazine during WWII.  Her story is told as a series of recollections via an interview not dissimilar to Interview With A Vampire, but much more chilling as it’s not a fantasy.  This woman was downright amazing.  Her eye and articles pulled no punches.  She was like a tank rolling into “men only” situations that opened the door to what should have been gender-neutral from the get-go.  We watch as she’s exposed to and documented situations which demonstrate the process resulting in PTSD.  I highly recommend that you watch this film early in the day, not with alcohol or being even mildly depressed, and give yourself time to get back to your happy place.  Andy Samberg is perfectly cast as Lee’s co-correspondent during this journey.  It really took me a long time to realize it was him in the role.  Rating:  combat boots, massive cigarettes, a ton of chutzpah both internal and liquid - 4 stars 

A Complete Unknown

Brilliant recreation of the beginning of the career of Bob Dylan in 1961 as he travels from Minnesota to New Jersey to meet his musical idol, Woody Guthrie, through the pivotal growth of his music and relationships culminating with the decision to plug in at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.  We all know how his music has morphed and defined different eras to date, that there was something in the lyrics that speaks to each generation on a basic level.  It’s like he’s constantly flipping the bird at authority, but still reinventing and remaining true to himself.  Dylan, to me, was/is always a tad off key, but the songs are dead-on in their meaning and originality.  The beginning of Highway 61 takes me back to my youth, and when it starts to play here, I almost cried.  The performances are nothing less than phenomenal.  Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, and the amazing Monica Barbaro, make you do a constant double take that they’re not the real deal.  I honestly thought Monica’s voice was dubbed by Joan, herself.  As with Wicked, each did their own singing and played their own instruments.  It paid off big time.  If there’s a god, there has to be soundtrack, just can’t say enough good about it.  Elle Fanning, Dan Fogler, Eli Brown, Scoot McNairy, and Boyd Holbrook bring it all together to make the story as compelling as the music.  Rating:  The Answer Is Blowin' In The Wind - 5 stars out of 4

Conclave

Finally watched Conclave, the film that’s adapted from the book about the process of choosing a new pope after his demise and some very questionable events that take place before and after his passing.  It does have a twist at the ending and I’m not divulging any spoilers.  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow are cast as cardinals and sister who are part of the arduous process of narrowing down the choices for the new holy father.  Ralph is outstanding as the Dean, but all deliver deserving supporting performances and will garner several award nominations and I wish them the best.  It did take me one and a half viewings to get to the end, but I have a good excuse (don’t start this without being fully engaged and early enough so you’re rested, I spontaneously nap, whether I like it or not, sometimes).  Although this is a mystery drama, this popped into my twisted little head https://youtu.be/pvhYqeGp_Do?si=OIxrMZ4gZurpuSd8, it hasn’t got a thing to do with this film, but if you’re Catholic, practicing, non-practicing or just want to listen to something funny, click on the link.  Rating:  a well worn rosary, communion, utter faith in God - 3.75 ⭐️ 

Saturday Night Liive

You’ll never think of Uncle Milty the same again.  Excellent recreation of the 90 minutes before the first episode went live 49 years ago of Saturday Night Live and the original Not Ready For Primetime Players.  Thank you Lorne Michaels for your vision.  Everything up to the last second before airing is, to quote a friend, fraught with peril.  It’s funny, it’s raunchy, quotable, it’s ironic, iconic, and will hold hold up over the next 50 years as the pinnacle of sketch comedy, musical introduction of so many new and established artists’ work, satire, silliness, sex and drugs and rock and roll, political import and standing up for one’s beliefs.  Launching the long lived careers of writers and comedians, who we miss, admire, and quote at random times (land shark, that’s some good bass, it’s always something, Jane, you’re an ignorant slut) even now.  So glad I got to witness this live in 1975 and looking forward to the 50th Anniversary show and beyond.  Rating:  one pair of bumblebee antenna, a gallon of fake blood, a bassamatic, best Weekend Update / show opening ever. 

Vidiot's Corner-M.R.F.T.C.C.: Wicked (Part One)

Vidiot's Corner-M.R.F.T.C.C.: Wicked (Part One): Today I saw a flat-out magical masterpiece on film.  The venue, SIFF Cinema (formerly Cinerama), 11 am show, perfect seats, back row center ...