The year’s best movies are about to flood the theaters.
OUT NOW
Lady Gaga illuminates Bradley Cooper’s triumphant A Star Is Born. Don’t bring a hankie – bring a whole friggin’ box of Kleenex.
Spike Lee’s true story BlacKkKlansmanis very funny and, finally, emotionally powerful.
The first-rate thriller Searching is more than just a gimmick (it entirely takes place on computer screens) and is filled with authentic Silicon Valley touches.
Jane Fonda herself spills her most intimate secrets in the irresistible HBO biodoc Jane Fonda in Five Acts.
ON VIDEO
My Stream of the Week is the Norwegian suspense thriller Revenge, one of the world cinema high points of the 2017 Cinequest. Revenge can be streamed from Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube and Google Play.
ON TV
On October 22, Turner Classic Movies brings us Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, another film noir from the great Fritz Lang: seeking to discredit capital punishment, a reporter (Dana Andrews) gets himself charged with and CONVICTED of a murder – but then the evidence of his innocence suddenly disappears! Crackerjack (and deeply noir) surprise ending.
Dana Andrews and Joan Fontaine in BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT
Spike Lee’s true story BlacKkKlansmanis very funny and, finally, emotionally powerful.
The first-rate thriller Searching is more than just a gimmick (it entirely takes place on computer screens) and is filled with authentic Silicon Valley touches.
Jane Fonda herself spills her most intimate secrets in the irresistible HBO biodoc Jane Fonda in Five Acts.
Crazy Rich Asians is wildly popular for a reason – it’s damn entertaining and probably the year’s most appealing date movie. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll wait for the chance to see Awkwafina in her next movie.
ON VIDEO
My Stream of the Week is the alternatively jaw-dropping and visually amazing documentary Brimstone & Glory, about fireworks manufacturing and the National Pyrotechnical Festival in Tultepec, Mexico. Brimstone & Glory can be streamed from Amazon (included with Prime), iTunes and Vudu.
ON TV
On October 14 Turner Classic Movies presents the John Sturges masterpiece Bad Day at Black Rock with Spencer Tracy investigating a disappearance in an especially hostile, racist and sinister town. Besides having Tracy at his best and being a great looking movie, Bad Day at Black Rock is notable for its menacing crew of Bad Guys – Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin.
Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan in BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A STAR IS BORN[/caption]
I just saw A Star Is Born last night – and you should, too. I’ll be writing about it this weekend. I’ll also be heading to the Mill Valley Film Festival to see three of the most exciting Prestige Season releases: Cold War, Roma and Shoplifters.
OUT NOW
Spike Lee’s true story BlacKkKlansmanis very funny and, finally, emotionally powerful.
The first-rate thriller Searching is more than just a gimmick (it entirely takes place on computer screens) and is filled with authentic Silicon Valley touches.
Jane Fonda herself spills her most intimate secrets in the irresistible HBO biodoc Jane Fonda in Five Acts.
Crazy Rich Asians is wildly popular for a reason – it’s damn entertaining and probably the year’s most appealing date movie. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll wait for the chance to see Awkwafina in her next movie.
ON VIDEO
My Stream of the Week is the appealing transgender dramedy Venus, which won the Cinequest award for best narrative feature. Venus is available for streaming from Amazon and iTunes.
ON TV
Tune into Turner Classic Movies on October 6 for director Robert Altman’s underappreciated California Split. Elliott Gould plays a guy deep in the throes of gambling addiction, and George Segal plays another guy well on his way. The two join up and play the LA-area card clubs before heading to Reno for a poker game that may be too big for them. Gould is at his manic, wise cracking best, and plays off the more reserved Segal in a very funny adventure. Of course, their decision-making is influenced by their addiction.
Actor Joseph Walsh wrote the screenplay about his own gambling addiction and plays the bookie you don’t want to owe money to. Real card club and casino patrons play the poker players, so the verisimilitude of the poker games is unmatched. The real Amarillo Slim elevates the big game.
California Split was the first non-Cinerama movie to use eight tracks for sound, which was perfect for Altman’s style of overlapping dialogue and tidbits of side and background conversations.
The poker is both authentic and entertaining. The two guys “read a table”, analyzing the other players in one particularly funny moment.
Reliable character actor Bert Remsen has a memorable bit in drag. Mickey Fox is memorable as a suspicious poker loser. Look for a young Jeff Goldblum, too.
Elliott Gould (center left) and George Segal (center right) in CALIFORNIA SPLIT
