As my list of film reviews continues to grow to never ending lengths, I’ve found there just isn’t enough time in the day or week or even year to get to all of them individually. I know you swear I’m collecting those fat Marvel checks to write favorable reviews of “She-Hulk,” but I motion that this collection of quick reviews be entered into evidence as proof that that is categorically false. It’s hard enough just to watch all of the movies I want to see, let alone sit down and begin to critically analyze each experience by putting pen to paper (or fingers to laptop keys since, you know, 21st century and what not) in a film review.
The point is, there are just too many films and not enough bandwidth to properly review them all. So rather then letting them all go unnoticed (which is criminal since all of them are pretty damn good), here is a small list of quick reviews for some films I managed to check out and recommend and where to find them.
1 “Marcel The Shell With Shoes On” – VOD
This cute little stop motion animation film had been on my list since its premiere at SXSW. I had every intention of heading to theater to check it out, but “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” proved elusive and I missed its run. Lo and behold, it was available on a flight to Dallas recently, so I fired it up to cross it off my list. Word of advice: do NOT watch “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” while on a plane and in a window seat, lest you want other passengers to see you ugly cry with no way to excuse yourself and pull yourself together. “Marcel” is a touching, hopeful, adorable film that tugs at your heartstrings almost immediately without ever feeling manipulative. It is a wonderful story of family, community, and surprisingly, the value of human connection. It is based on a web series of the same name, and brought to life in a feature film by its same creators. All of them do a good job in extending the world beyond the confines of web shorts, and “Marcel” never feels like its over extending itself beyond its narrative means.
I’ve never quite been a fan of Jenny Slate, but her voice work here brings Marcel to life with such earnestness and authenticity, I would argue it’s her best work to date. For a story about a talking shell who lost his family some years ago and goes searching for them, “Marcel” is more complex than the premise would have you believe. It touches on a plethora of themes surrounding family and community, but also manages to provide some poignant commentary on internet culture and online validation. It isn’t a center piece, but a testament to the smart script by director Dean Fleischer Camp as well as co-writers Slate and Nick Paley. The film overall is truly innovative and emotionally charged, and you can’t help but fall in love with this little shell and his story. “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” is a triumph, sure to fill your soul with delightful emotions including laughter, hope and love. It is sure to drum up those waterworks to waterfall levels, and at the end will make you want to hug your mom and tell your dad you love him.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
2 “Facing Nolan” – Netflix
I am not, nor have I ever been a fan of Baseball. It’s just not my sport, and the only thing I enjoy about getting dragged to games with my family (who all bleed Dodger Blue) is the food and beer to help get through each inning. But I’m also not completely void of knowledge of the sport either, and know enough to know who Nolan Ryan is and what he means to Baseball. I say this to drive home the point of just how good “Facing Nolan” ends up being. This is a documentary about a famous pitcher in a sport I could not care less about, and still manages to be extremely captivating and entertaining. Told largely by the people who lived the experiences, including Nolan himself, “Facing Nolan” manages to transform his long list of accolades into a meaningful story of achievement and sacrifice. You don’t have to know anything about the sport to be enthralled by his contributions to it, and Nolan is so mild mannered and insightful that you kind of fall in love with him, his story and his family.
What really helps “Facing Nolan” is that it’s not a story of a superstar brought down misconduct or drug fueled years of destruction. Nolan’s only real enemy was and has always been time. You simply can’t launch 110 mph fastballs forever, regardless of how much longer he did so than anyone (again, even himself) thought was possible. “Facing Nolan” is riveting not because of hardships, but because of his positivity and perseverance, delivering a hopeful message of striving for greatness without ever sacrificing the things that matter most. Nolan is a father and a loving husband first, one of the greatest pitchers in the entire sport second. And “Facing Nolan” makes both of these things clear, and solidifies itself as one of the better sports documentaries available. Even if you can’t fathom enjoying anything about sports, I still recommend this one. It’s THAT good.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
3 “Three Thousand Years of Longing” – VOD
No one can deny that George Miller is a master of visual storytelling. He is an expert of immersion and transcendent storytelling, and “Three Thousand Years of Longing” feels very much like his true colors spilled out into a colorful kaleidoscope of storytelling. Yes, “Longing” is a meta film of a visual storytelling (Miller) telling a story about characters telling stories. That sounds more droll and self indulgent than it turns out to be, with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton displaying terrific on screen chemistry and expression. It’s the visuals that really shine here though, as they are the primary vehicle that take us through the ages of stories that create the character development of its stars. “Longing” is a classic story elevated by other ones Miller uses to tell it, with the primary one being a Djinn (Elba) in a bottle who is awoke by Alithea (Swinton), a narrative scholar without anything in her heart’s desire to wish for. The Djinn recounts his thousands of years of captivity and almost discoveries, while Alithea (well versed in mythology and cautionary tales) decides whether or a not this is real and/or a trap. This is all done in the confines of a hotel room, only leaving it to tell the stories throughout the years.
The thing is, “Three Thousand Years of Longing” is great until it isn’t, with a narrative misstep that feels unearned and out of nowhere. For all the chemistry our stars carry, where Miller suddenly takes them is such a tonal shift that the entire third act of “Longing” feels like a completely different film, one that meanders towards a conclusion that also seems disingenuous and sudden. It’s a shame too, because the build up and dazzling visual storytelling up to this point are genuine sights to behold. Miller immerses his viewers into his magnificent world building, only to abandon it all entirely for something that just doesn’t quite work. It loses its footing and almost falls apart entirely, exposing the simplicity of its story to begin with and no longer being as intriguing as it should be. I still highly recommend “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” as the first two acts more than make up for the faults of its third.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
4 “To Leslie” – AppleTV+ and Amazon Prime Video
A deeply emotional and gut wrenching character study of the working class and redemption, “To Leslie” asks a lot from its viewers. That’s a compliment by the way, as director Michael Morris is patient and earnest in his approach to his broken characters, and unafraid to dig deep and put them back together piece by piece. “To Leslie” tells the story of Leslie, a woman from a small Texas town who wins the lottery and leaves her old life behind for a new one of booze, drugs, and glamor. She spends the money fast, and is left with nothing to show for it but addiction and everyone she’s ever loved or loved her left in her destructive wake. With no other option, she returns home after years away in hopes to find solace, redemption, and maybe some forgiveness. In addition to its phenomenal cast and powerful performances, “To Leslie” never puts its characters back together completely. Much like our actual selves, there is no rousing speech or moment of clarity or hug that fixes us. The road to redemption and self improvement is paved with failures, and no singular instance or experience is ever the key to unlocking our true peace or self love.
“To Leslie” is acutely aware of this, and treats all of its characters as complex real human beings with struggles, conflicts and needs. Andrea Riseborough rarely misses, but she is a knockout as Leslie, delivering a career best in an already stellar career. Similarly, you can’t go wrong with Alison Janney as Leslie’s estranged mother, who simply never phones it in and gives everything she has to every role. The surprise standout is a touching and rather reserved performance from Marc Maron, who’s friendship and kindness to Leslie in her most desperate moments help create a genuine friendship that thankfully never transitions into a romantic one. “To Leslie” is a deeply moving story with terrific performances, and while it may not be for everyone and most certainly touches on some things that may be triggering to some, it is a great drama and character piece that deserves to be seen.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
5 “Descendant” – Netflix
Documentaries have been on fire this year, delivering some of the most compelling studies and examinations of the world and people around us. The Award Winning, Sundance darling “Descendant” is no exception, entering in the conversation as one of the best documentaries of the year. It’s hard to truly capture everything this incredible story discovers, because the amount of history, heritage and discoveries within itself are simply mind bending and enthralling. Where “Descendant” starts and where it ends cannot be predicted, which isn’t to say the film loses its way or purpose. In fact, that very trajectory is part of what makes the film so compelling the first place. It is abundantly rich, and continues to mine that richness the more that gets uncovered and revealed. “Descendant” is powerful, and a much needed reclamation of a history often forgotten and seldom explored. In short, the film follows the discovery of the last slave ship Clotilda, who’s remains are discovered off the shores of Mobile, Alabama.
The discovery of the ships’ remains would be a documentary unto itself, but filmmaker Margaret Brown dares to go deeper in the story and ships significance, diving into the heritage of its passengers and ancestry they left behind. “Descendant” is also a story about reclaiming ones own narrative, and reshaping that story to reflect actual history and purpose. It becomes deeply personal, and demonstrates the power of connection and how important telling true history becomes. I don’t think I need to harp on it too long, but history is often skewed by the lens with which it is interpreted, which of course leads to large chunks being omitted or falsely reshaped entirely. “Descendant” seeks not only to correct that mistake here, but also provide personal stories and experiences as to why it is so important to get it right. I can’t stress this enough, “Descendant” is a must see documentary, and one of the most moving and well made documentaries of the year. Go out of your way to check this one one when it arrives on Netflix October 21st.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
So there you have it. 5 quick reviews of new and upcoming films that we recommend. Hope you enjoy!
