Here is the third compilation of 2021 movies, a weak year for the cinema.
A Quiet Place 2 — starring Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy can’t quite compete with the original. Nevertheless, it is a fairly worthy successor, and includes a prequel showing the dreaded sightless monsters first taking over earth. The ending is decent.
The Last Leonardo — as documentaries go, this is outstanding. Featured only in art house theatres, you don’t have to be an art lover or be knowledgeable about the art world to quickly be drawn into this real-life ‘who done it?’ mystery. The producers spared no expense in taking us around the world and in interviewing subject matter experts. Side note: I recently read Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, and the book offers countless clues to da Vinci’s genius and the subtlety of his detail. Thus, I likely know whether or not the painting is genuine.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye — starring Andrew Garvey and Jessica Chastain is a rather so-so movie. As she has done so often, Jessica Chastain offers an Oscar-worthy performance, perhaps enough to draw in movie-goers.
One Shot — a gripping tale. A prisoner being held at a base outside of the U.S., who has knowledge that could stop a major terrorist attack, is to be transferred by the FBI to Washington. Terrorist-paid mercenaries invade and seek to kill him. Intense battles, hand-to-hand combat, and on-the-spot-executions — certainly not for everyone, but it has its merits.
The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of CS Lewis — the protagonist, the elder Lewis, stares into the camera, literally, for 3/4 of the movie. This simply does not work for me. Also, (sorry to my Christian friends who loved this flick) the lead-up to his conversion is unconvincing.
King Richard — Will Smith, in another of his many great roles, is the over-strategizing, stubborn, resolute father who creates a 78-page manual on how his daughters will become tennis stars; in essence giving you a vivid idea of how the plot unfolds. Some good supporting roles. And Venus and Serena are executive producers!
Ghostbusters Afterlife — with Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and a variety of competent child actors, is a misguided attempt at extending the franchise. The humor is a bit flat, the action is predictable, and there’s not much here worth viewing, including the contrived surprise ending.
– – – – –
