The Lost Daughter is a psychological drama written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in her feature directorial debut, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. Olivia Colman also serves as an executive producer. I found The Lost Daughter to be somewhat weird and boring. However, the subject it dealt with was profound and I felt any message that was being offered just got lost somewhere in the storytelling.
While on holiday in Greece, a middle-aged college professor, and noted translator, Leda Caruso (Olivia Coleman), meets Nina (Dakota Johnson), a young mother, after Nina’s three-year-old daughter Elena (Athena Martin) goes momentarily missing on the beach. Leda finds Elena and returns her to her mother (Nina), who expresses her growing exhaustion and unhappiness. Elena is upset after she loses her favorite doll, which Leda has secretly taken. In flashbacks, it is revealed that young Leda…
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The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a biographical drama directed by Michael Showalter, based on the 2000 documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato of World of Wonder. The film tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, from her humble beginnings growing up in International Falls, Minnesota through the rise and fall of her televangelism career and marriage to Jim Bakker. The screenplay is written by Abe Sylvia, while Chastain is also one of the film’s producers. I found The Eyes of Tammy Faye to be well written and well performed. I liked it very much.
Tick, Tick… Boom! (also stylized as tick, tick… BOOM!) is a biographical musical drama directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda in his feature directorial debut. Written by Steven Levenson, it is based on the stage musical of the same name by Jonathan Larson. Tick, Tick… Boom! is a semi-autobiographical story about Larson’s writing a musical to enter the industry. I didn’t know what to expect of this movie, after seeing it, all I can say is WOW! It was fabulous! I think Tick, Tick… Boom! deserved a Best Picture nod in addition to the other Oscar nominations it received.
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a historical thriller written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It is the first film directed by one of the Coen brothers without the other’s involvement. Macbeth is the story of the progeny of three witches. I would not have watched this movie, except that again, Denzel is nominated for Best Actor. I think this was Denzel’s best performance of all.
Licorice Pizza is a coming-of-age comedy-drama written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who also serves as one of the film’s producers and cinematographers. The movie is about the journey between a child and an adult who have feelings for each other. The only reason I watched Licorice Pizza is that it is Oscar-nominated. I can’t write about movies I haven’t seen.
West Side Story is a romantic musical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner. It is the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 stage musical of the same name. Rita Moreno who starred in the 1961 film adaptation, also served as an executive producer, alongside Tony Kushner. The film features music composed by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Originally, I wasn’t interested in seeing a remake of West Side Story but since it is Oscar-nominated, I decided to rewatch it. The music and acting were excellent. It turned out to be a very good remake!
