James' World 2

Nightmare Alley is a neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Guillermo del Toro from a screenplay by del Toro and Kim Morgan, based on the 1946 novel of the same name by William Lindsay Gresham, being the second feature film adaptation of Gresham’s novel, following the 1947 version. The film is a co-production between Searchlight Pictures, TSG Entertainment, and Double Dare You Productions.  Nightmare Alley is about a handsome, charming, and ambitious carnival worker with a mysterious past who takes big risks to boost his career. I watched Nightmare Alley because it was an Oscar nominee and discovered why it was nominated. I thought it was quite good.

****    SOME SPOILERS BELOW    ****

In 1939, Stanton “Stan” Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) burns down his house after putting a dead body inside and takes a job as a carnival worker. When the carnival’s geek becomes ill, owner Clement “Clem” Hoatley (Willem…

Dune: Part One is an epic science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and also written by Villeneuve, along with Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth. It is the first of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, which mostly covers the first half of the book. Set far in the future, amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs, Dune follows the story of young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), whose noble family accepts stewardship of Arrakis but is thrust into a war for the deadly and inhospitable desert planet. Having seen Dune in 1964, I didn’t remember it, so I decided to give it another try.  Dune is extremely complicated and hard to explain but very entertaining.

In a far future when faster-than-light travel is possible and almost all the planets in the known universe are under the sway of a…

Don’t Look Up is an apocalyptic black comedy written, produced, and directed by Adam McKay. It tells the story of two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization. The impact event is an allegory for climate change, and the film is a satire of government, political, and media indifference to the climate crisis.  Since this movie features a Stella ensemble cast, I was hyped to see it.  Don’t Lookup turned out to be brilliantly done as well as a great eye-opener.

Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), a Michigan State University astronomy Ph.D. candidate, discovers a previously unknown comet. Her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), confirms that it will collide with the Earth in approximately six months and change.  The comet is large enough to cause the extinction of our planet. NASA confirms their findings causing their Planetary Defense Coordination Office head,

CODA is a coming-of-age comedy drama written and directed by Sian Heder. The film was released in theaters and through the Apple TV+ streaming service. CODA deals with a family of all deaf members, except one.

I couldn’t imagine how this scenario would impact the only hearing and speaking person in the family, so I tuned in (no pun intended). I believe the deaf community was well represented in this sensitive, well-thought-out movie.

In Gloucester, Massachusetts, Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of her family; her parents Frank (Troy Kotsur) and Jackie Jones (Marlee Matlin) as well as their older brother Leo Jones (Daniel Durant) are all culturally Deaf. Ruby assists with the family fishing business and plans to join it full-time after finishing high school.

Because of her family, Ruby is seen as an outcast at school. When she notices her crush, Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo)…

King Richard is a biographical drama film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin. It follows the life of Richard Williams who is the father and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, and also served as executive producers of the film. King Richard was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max streaming Service in late 2021.  I thought the title was indicative of a period piece but happily learned King Richard is Richard Williams.  Very good story, just not enough content!

Richard Williams (Will Smith) lives in Compton, California with his wife Oracene “Brandy” Price (Aunjanue Ellis), his three step-daughters, Tunde Price (Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew), Isha Price (Danielle Lawson), and Lyndrea Price (Layla Crawford) as well as his two biological daughters, Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton). Richard aspires to turn Venus and Serena into professional tennis players…

Belfast is a British coming-of-age comedy-drama written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, who has described Belfast as his “most personal film” and focuses on a young boy’s childhood in Belfast, Northern Ireland at the beginning of “The Troubles” in 1969. I watched Belfast because of its Oscar nominations. I thought the movie was well-acted, well-written, and somewhat depressing to see what some people will do to satisfy their strong need for control over people or situations, aka “control freaks”.

Belfast chronicles the life of a working-class Ulster Protestant family from the perspective of their 9-year-old son Buddy (Jude Hill) during “The Troubles” in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Buddy’s father “Pa” (Jamie Dornan) works overseas in England, while the family—“Ma” (Caitríona Balfe), elder brother Will (Lewis McAskie), and paternal grandparents Granny (Judi Dench) and Pop(Ciarán Hinds)—live in Belfast.

During the August 1969 riots, a group of…

The Power of the Dog is a Western psychological drama written and directed by Jane Campion. It is based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel of the same name. The Power of the Dog is a well-written and directed movie that covers a wide range of emotions like love, grief, resentment, jealousy, and human sexuality to name a few. I had no idea what to expect from this movie, I soon found out it would soon become one of the greats.

The Power of the Dog opens in 1925 Montana as two wealthy ranch-owning brothers Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Jesse Plemons) meet widow and inn owner Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst) during a cattle drive. George who is considered kind-hearted is quickly taken with Rose. Phil, who is harsh, volatile, and considered a bully is much influenced by his late mentor Bronco Henry, mocks Rose’s son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee)

Being the Ricardos is a biographical drama written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, about the relationship between the “I Love Lucy” cast of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance. I anticipated the story to be mostly about the relationships between the four actors and a little about their personal lives.  Instead, I was surprised they decided to go with the horrifying McCarthy era of communist accusations against Lucille Ball.  Not a funny situation but a well-written story.  I would rather they had gone with my expectations.

The film is told from three perspectives: interviews with the show’s three lead writers: Jess Oppenheimer (Tony Hale/John Rubinstein), Madelyn Pugh (Alia Shawkat/Linda Lavin), and Bob Carroll Jr. (Jake Lacy/Ronny Cox); flashbacks; and preparations for a live taping in 1953.

In 1939, 28-year-old and single actress, Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) is contracted to RKO Pictures.  Because she…