Category: Films

Film Review: “The Holdovers”

The Holdovers is a comical, instantly rewatchable holiday treat

Filmmakers who take big swings deserve appreciation for taking the risk, even if the swing results in a miss. Director Alexander Payne (Nebraska) took such a swing six years ago with Downsizing, a polarizing if not much-maligned film. Thus, it was refreshing to hear the promising news that Payne was reuniting with his Sideways star, Paul Giamatti, for a new dramedy. The Holdovers is as sad, clever, and intelligent as the best of Payne’s work, but with a surprising lighthearted touch that places it firmly amidst some of the most classic holiday films, and amongst the filmmaker’s best work. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Holdovers””

Film Review: “What Happens Later”

When Meg imitated Nora: Ryan’s rom-com falls flat

Bill (David Duchovny) runs into his college girlfriend Willa (Meg Ryan) while traveling on business.

Meg Ryan, star of such classic Nora Ephron-penned rom-coms as When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle, tries her hand at directing, co-writing, and starring in her own rom-com, and the results are disastrous. What this picture is is debatable, but one thing’s for sure: it’s neither rom nor com. The fact that Ryan dedicates the film to the late great Ephron only serves as a reminder of those halcyon days of far better Ephron-Ryan helmed vehicles. 

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Film Review: “Priscilla”

Coppola operates with tender precision in Priscilla

When considering last year’s Baz Luhrmann film Elvis (if you will humor me for a moment), it’s a challenge to identify a more tonal antithesis than Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla. Where Elvis is noisy and energetic, Priscilla is quiet and mellow. Where Elvis is over-the-top and wide-reaching, Priscilla is narrow and understated. They are two vastly different films focused on two vastly different characters. Priscilla, though, is the better film. The comparisons are inevitable, despite their distinct objectives. Priscilla represents a delicate portrayal of Priscilla Presley’s experience with Elvis, from meetup to breakup, almost exclusively from her point of view. Continue reading “Film Review: “Priscilla””

Film Review: “Five Nights at Freddy’s”

Grin and Fazbear it: Frightfully fun feature fares fine

Abby (Piper Rubio) gazes upon some potential new friends at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. 

If you’re looking to take the family out for a Halloween movie this week, you could do worse than Five Nights at Freddy’s. It’s rated PG-13, which already makes it more kid- friendly than most R-rated Halloween fare. The rating no doubt was purposeful, so as to allow legions of young fans access: the film is based on a hugely popular video game of the same name. I’ve never played the game, so I may not be the film’s target audience, but as a lightweight horror movie, it’s amusing enough for a mixed audience of game fans, non-fans, kids and adults. The scares are mostly fun, the gore level is mostly low, and the plot is mostly silly.

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Film Review: “The Persian Version”

The Persian Version brims with undeniable filmmaker and character charisma

Culture clashes often make for compelling cinema, usually dramatic, routinely funny, and occasionally timely. And when a single character can inhibit both sides of the culture clash, the results can have more resonant meaning. The Persian Version, an indie dramedy from writer/director Maryam Keshavarz, contains such a character — representing a timely and bold exploration of the Iranian-American experience. It’s commendable that The Persian Version doesn’t feel like a studio comedy. It’s full of stylistic flare, unlikely story threads, and vibrant music, embracing the creative freedom that pulsates at the heart of its central characters.

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Film Review: “Beyond Utopia”

Beyond Utopia is documentary filmmaking at its most thrilling and courageous, an essential viewing

Many of the best documentaries are ones that reach behind the scenes, peering into forbidden corners of society, and often the very existence of their footage pose risks to the filmmakers and their subjects. These influential films beg the question, how did they capture that?! It must have been extremely dangerous! The unfortunate reality is that the subject matters that require the most extreme precautions are also the ones that are most in need of public exposure. This is the case for Beyond Utopia, a new documentary that shows the real trials and tribulations of fleeing North Korea in unprecedented footage.

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Film Review: “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Best reasons to see Scorsese’s new picture? De Niro, DiCaprio, and Gladstone

Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio) shares a moment with his wife Mollie (Lily Gladstone).

Much has been made of the length of director Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which clocks in at three hours and 26 minutes. But give the guy some credit: his previous film, 2019’s much lauded The Irishman, ran three hours and 29 minutes. So he’s heard you, and has let you out of your seat a full three minutes earlier this time. What a guy! But seriously–while a few scenes do feel like they could be trimmed, others you’ll wish you could dwell in longer. For the most part, then, the run time becomes a non-issue. The story is so well told that you’ll remain fully engaged throughout the majority of this sobering but absorbing picture.

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Film Review: “She Came to Me”

Dinklage, Tomei can’t save Miller’s embarrassing misstep

Depressed opera composer Steven (Peter Dinklage) and tugboat captain Katrina (Marisa Tomei) chat over an afternoon drink.

Twenty-one years ago, writer/director Rebecca Miller won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for her drama Personal Velocity. Other well-received films followed, including her last film, Arthur Miller: Writer, a 2017 HBO documentary about her famous father. She returns now with She Came to Me, her first narrative feature since 2015’s terrific Maggie’s Plan, and, given her past successes, the results are disappointing. 

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Film Feature: Preview #3 of the 46th Mill Valley Film Festival

The 46th Mill Valley Film Festival is now underway! For a full view of special awards, spotlights, and centerpiece films, check out the complete festival guide. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Below is our third preview of the Festival, featuring brief looks at four more films (If you missed our other preview posts, you can find them here and here):

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Film Feature: Preview #2 of the 46th Mill Valley Film Festival

Our coverage of the 46th Mill Valley Film Festival, which starts tomorrow, Thursday Oct. 5th, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 15th, continues below. We take a look at four titles worthy of your attention: two documentaries and two narrative features. You can browse the full program here, and read our first preview post here. Be sure to bookmark Spinning Platters to check back for more film snapshots during the Fest! And special note: although the Festival’s in person screenings end on the 15th, several films will be available for streaming after the Fest closes.

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