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Michael, the BioPic directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, perfectly cast, Jaafar is the nephew of Michael, son of Jermaine. From a distance a scene is shot in the movie showing what would be the new cover of Michael's first solo album in 1979, Off the Wall (my favorite). It wasn't until they did a tight shot of the cover that you realized it was Jaafar as Michael and NOT Michael Jackson, a very uncanny resemblance. Of course the film has lots of great music and nostalgia of both The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, but I didn't feel that I learned anything new from this movie that I didn't already know. See the film for the terrific performance by Jaafar and the chance to relive all those phenomenal music memories.

Should we Defy the Gods? Just saw The Odyssey. Epic. Spectacular and Entertaining. Hoyte van Hoytema (Cinematographer) and Ludwig Göransson (Music) are Masters of their Craft, both deserve Academy Awards for their excellent work in this #film. Standouts for acting are Matt Damon (Odysseus), Anne Hathaway (Penelope) and Samantha Morton (Circe). And Chris Nolan proves once again that he is one of the great storytelling Directors of our time. The film runs 2 hours 52 minutes, but there is so much constant movement, so much incredibly shot scenery to look at that you don't notice the time, at least I didn't. I read The Odyssey in High School, if you haven't read Homer's legendary work of literature, do yourself a favor, read it and go see The Odyssey in a cinema on the big screen.

The most artistic and intellectually stimulating film of the year, all 3 hours and 35 minutes of it. Features brilliant direction from Brady Corbet (Vox Lux) and impeccable acting, particularly from the movie's 3 leads, Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) and Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential, Memento). The Brutalist follows 30 years in the life of Hungarian Architect László Tóth played by Brody, a Post World War II Holocaust Survivor who leaves Europe for a new start in America and the numerous challenges faced as an Immigrant. Kudos to the Production Design Team of the film on their flawless and intricate attention to detail and also to the movie's Director of Photography Lol Crawley for his impressive cinematography.

Saw The Convert last night. The film is a compelling story set in 1830's New Zealand of a British preacher who gets caught up in Maori Wars from Once Were Warriors and Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori. With a screenplay by Lee Tamahori and Michael Bennett (In Dark Places), the film features impeccable acting from a talented cast that includes Australian actors Guy Pearce (Memento, LA Confidential) and Jacqueline McKenzie (Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and newcomer Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne. Breathtaking scenery of New Zealand shot by cinematographer Gin Loane (The Justice of Bunny King).

Paul Giamatti is one of our great character actors. He returns in his latest role in The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways -- which also starred Paul Giamatti). In The Holdovers Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a cantankerous history teacher, specializing in Ancient Civilizations, at a college preparatory all boys boarding school. During the 1970 Christmas Holiday Recess, Mr. Hunham is left at the school to be caretaker to troubled holdover student, Angus Tully played by Dominic Sessa. Also left at the school along with Hunham is grieving mother and school's Head Cook, Mary Lamb, in a sublime performance by actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite is My Name). By the end of the film, we come to discover that the testy Paul Hunham is really blessed with a Heart of Gold when he gives away his teaching career to save the life and future of his student.

Saw OPPENHEIMER on Saturday in its 70mm large format screening. Really a phenomenal piece of filmmaking by writer and director Christopher Nolan, the story centered around the Father of the Atomic Bomb and leader of The Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, J. Robert Oppenheimer, played to perfection by actor Cillian Murphy. Worth noting, as well is the extraordinary performance by actor Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss. It wouldn't surprise me if both actors receive Oscar nominations for their character portrayals, they are that good! Also great in supporting roles, Emily Blunt (Kitty Oppenheimer), Matt Damon (General Leslie Groves), Jason Clarke (Roger Robb) and an appearance by Gary Oldman as President Truman. Returning as Nolan's DOP is Hoyte van Hoytema (Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet) whose cinematography in Oppenheimer is breathtaking. Love the new black and white photography created especially for the film, it is sharp, clean and crisp. Just like in Nolan's 2000 film, Memento, the black and white is juxtaposed with color, perfectly utilized for past and present scenes and as a way to interpret the lead character's moral struggles and ambiguity. I had no problem with the 3 hour runtime, dialogue was intelligent and the film moves at a good pace thanks to streamlined editing by Jennifer Lame (Tenet) and a strong, haunting score by Ludwig Göransson (Tenet). Oppenheimer is quite the triumph for Chris Nolan.

Recently saw the new Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Bit of a let down, although I enjoyed the bit players in the movie, Toby Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies and fun cameo by Karen Allen. Felt the film's script was a little cheesy, too many chase scenes, movie is overly reliant on CGI and the de-aging of Harrison Ford, I felt, was distracting and didn't do the movie justice. My favorite film of the Indiana Jones franchise is still Raiders of the Lost Ark. Nothing beats the original. Dial of Destiny lacks the magic and heroics of the first film, but it does provide entertainment and a solid supporting cast.

THE WHALE, written by Samuel D. Hunter based on his play and directed by Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan"), stars Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy") in his recent Best Actor Oscar-winning role as Charlie, a reclusive online English professor suffering from obesity and congestive heart failure, brought on following the death of his partner. With only days left to live, the main focus of the movie sees Charlie trying to make amends with his estranged, strong-willed teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). Fraser gives an emotionally riveting performance that carries the film. Also very good in her supporting role as Charlie's friend and caretaker, Liz is actress Hong Chau ("Driveways"). THE WHALE is a great comeback achievement from Brendan Fraser, his Charlie will pull at your heartstrings.

AFTERSUN, written and directed by Charlotte Wells, is a reflective, bittersweet portrait of a lost father-daughter relationship. An adult Sophie, on her birthday, looks back at twenty year old film footage of the last summer holiday in Turkey when she was 11 years old spent with her estranged father, Calum, played by Paul Mescal in his recent Best Actor Oscar-nominated role. Sophie (Frankie Corio) at age 11 is on the brink of adolescence trying to understand and come to terms with a father who is clearly loving, yet seems to be struggling beneath the weight of his life. Paul Mescal gives a realistic, tender and very understated performance, and young Frankie Corio is simply endearing as Sophie. The film, co-produced by Oscar-winning Director Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight"), leaves it up to the audience to decide the fate of Sophie's father at the end of AFTERSUN. The sense of melancholy I felt while watching the film left me with the understanding that for Sophie, 20 years of loss seems a lifetime, while her memories feel like only yesterday.

THE FABELMANS, a semi-autobiographical account of the film's director, Steven Spielberg's childhood years, co-written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner, stars Gabriel LaBelle as the young, budding filmmaker Sammy Fabelman. Sammy's hesitant, yet supportive parents, Mitzi and Burt Fabelman are played by the luminous Michelle Williams and the convincing Paul Dano. Also in the film, Judd Hirsch making a short but memorable appearance in his recent Best Supporting Actor Oscar-nominated performance as Sammy's cantankerous Uncle Boris. Spielberg pays homage to the wonders and realities of youth, dreams and love of cinema seen through the eyes of Sammy whose early life witnesses his mother's unrealized musical aspirations, his father's multiple job changes resulting in the Fabelmans various moves from state-to-state, and the ultimate breakup of his family following his parents divorce. All this going on while Sammy realizes and begins to nurture his own artistic talents for filmmaking. A highlight of the movie is an almost unrecognizable David Lynch who appears at the climax of the film as Iconic director John Ford who talks to Sammy about the importance of horizon in good filmmaking. Steven Spielberg is one of the great directors who is blessed with a true gift for storytelling and he accomplishes this, again with THE FABELMANS. You may recognize his abiding love for Indiana Jones in this film through the character of a handsome, tough on the outside, flawed on the inside high school track star, caught on camera on Ditch Day by 18 year old Sammy Fabelman. It's obvious Steven Spielberg never forgot him.

The deep desire within us all to find family and connect with community is beautifully and poignantly told through the voice of Jenny Slate as the tiny 1 inch animated shell, Marcel with Shoes On and his sole companion, Nana Connie shell voiced by Isabella Rossellini. The film is based on the web series by Jenny Slate and Marcel The Shell with Shoes On director Dean Fleischer-Camp who also appears in the movie. Fun moments in the film include appearances by Conan O'Brien, NBC News Anchor Brian Williams and 60 Minutes star Lesley Stahl, the latter who interviews Marcel for 60 Minutes and helps to find and reunite Marcel with his 2 years lost extended family. Great little movie with a message for all ages.

2001 "In The Bedroom" director Todd Field returns with "Tár," stars Cate Blanchett as renowned conductor and musician Lydia Tár, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner) whose ego and life are on top-of-the-world until certain situations collude against her causing her to spiral. Cate Blanchett could read the phone book on film and convince me she is a phenomenon, and in "Tár" she gives an intelligent performance. However, the film is 2 hours 38 minutes and could use editing, it gets redundant. Worth the watch for Cate Blanchett in another possible Oscar-worthy achievement.

You have to get through the first 2 hours of Martial Arts in the Multiverse to get to the last brilliant 20 minutes of Everything Everywhere All At Once. But in the end, it all makes sense and ties things together. Fun seeing Jamie Lee Curtis as the IRS Agent. I had no trouble in one viewing of the film understanding its general concept of family and the conflict that often exists between Mothers and Daughters. Might require a 2nd viewing to figure out some things I may have missed in the movie's first 2 hours. Michelle Yeoh as the Matriarch is outstanding, she carries the full intensity of the film with Oscar-caliber accomplishment.

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN from writer/director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), re-teams Brendan Gleeson (Colm) & Colin Farrell (Pádraic) in a dark comedy set on an island off the coast of Ireland at the end of the Irish Civil War in 1923. Colm's abrupt decision to end his friendship with Pádraic creates upheaval in the ordinary lives of the islanders. Colin Farrell steals the film, brilliantly conveying BANSHEES themes of kindness, isolation, importance of human connection. Features cinematography by Ben Davis, shot along Ireland's west coast, equal parts bleak, ominous, breathtakingly beautiful.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION offers a satirical look into the making of a movie involving all its egos and eccentricities. A wealthy businessman at the twilight of his life and career decides to leave his legacy by producing a film. He hires well known director Lola Cuevas (Penelope Cruz), known for her eccentric filmmaking style, to direct his movie. Lola chooses 2 leading men to headline the movie, the famous, pretentious film actor Felix Rivero (Antonio Banderas) and seasoned theater actor and acting teacher Ivan Torres (Oscar Martinez). What follows are funny, satirical pokes at the trials, tribulations, quirky rehearsals and ever looming egos involved in the world of cinema and filmmaking. OFFICIAL COMPETITION is an intelligent film, offers smooth comedic timing with masterful performances and great chemistry between actors Cruz, Banderas and Martinez.

Australian Director Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge") returns with his latest film, the biopic, ELVIS, a 2 1/2 hour runtime that moves at lightning speed. Newcomer Austin Butler is tremendous channeling The King of Rock & Roll, captures Elvis' spirit, essence, moves, voice, vocal talents (Austin sings the songs himself as Young Elvis), ambitions, flaws & innocence. Over-the-top caricature performance from Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker. 2nd half of film Vegas years captivates, transports you back to the time & place that made Elvis an Icon.

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) is beguiling as the romantic lead in Cyrano, directed by Joe Wright (Darkest Hour, Atonement), based on the original 1897 play, Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, with screenplay for the film by Erica Schmidt. The movie follows the classic story, tragic love triangle between the poet, Cyrano (Dinklage), his best friend, soldier Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and their mutual lady love, Roxanne (Haley Bennett). The film is retold in the form of a lovely musical with soundtrack by Aaron and Bryce Dessner. Features breathtaking cinematography by Seamus McGarvey (Atonement), with gorgeous mid 18th Century costume design by Massimo Cantini Parrini. Well acted by cast, emphasis on Peter Dinklage, and the movie fulfills with its sense of romance, adventure and intrigue.

"The Power of the Dog," is the latest film from director Jane Campion ("Bright Star," "The Piano"), based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage. The movie features a masterful, intense lead performance by actor Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Courier," "The Imitation Game," TV's "Sherlock") who plays Phil Burbank, 1 of 2 brothers, the other brother, George Burbank played by Jesse Plemons, who own and run a ranch in 1925 Montana. Phil is an intimadating, bullying and manipulative character, while brother, George is more timid, gentle and soft spoken. When George meets widow, marries and brings home new wife, Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst) & her son, Peter Gordon (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil proceeds to taunt and torment his new in-laws, until he discovers the possibility of new found love. Phil takes the quiet-natured, awkward young Peter under his wings, with a twist to the plot that features an ending you may, or may not, have seen coming. Rural New Zealand replaces Montana and is beautifully photographed by Cinematographer Ari Wegner, with a brilliantly crafted, haunting score by Jonny Greenwood.

Nicolas Cage gives an emotionally gripping performance in PIG, a film about loss, love, grief & confronting the past. From first time director Michael Sarnoski, Cage plays Rob, a truffle hunter living alone with his pig in the isolated woods outside Portland, Oregon. His valued pig is kidnapped, forcing Rob to travel back to Portland after 15 years of isolation in attempts to find her. What transpires is a film that goes beyond the search, with Cage's Rob confronting people and places left behind and facing a myriad of emotions. Features a strong cameo from actor Adam Arkin (TV's "Sons of Anarchy," "Chicago Hope").

BELFAST triumphs as heartwarming story of family love & survival in tumultuous times of religious strife between Protestants & Catholics in 1969 Northern Ireland. The film is an autobio written & directed by actor Kenneth Branagh based on his own early childhood in Belfast. The movie is told from the point-of-view of 9 year old Buddy, played by newcomer Jude Hill, whose luminous performance & angelic face steals the film. Equally excellent are his Pa & Ma, actors Jamie Dornan & Caitríona Balfe & his grandparents, the exquisite Dame Judi Dench & the marvelous Ciarán Hinds. Through Buddy, the audience watches as the family manages to survive their Belfast neighborhood through religious clashes & violence, their own financial struggles, ultimately leading them to move to London & start a new life. BELFAST is beautifully shot, primarily in black-and-white, by long-time Branagh collaborator, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, featuring strong production design by Jim Clay.

Watched (twice) the advanced A24 screening on Wednesday of "The Green Knight," directed & screenplay by David Lowery ("Pete's Dragon," "Ain't Them Bodies Saints"). The film is a unique, fantasy re-telling of the Medieval Arthurian tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain, top form & attractively played by actor Dev Patel, is King Arthur's foolhardy nephew, who goes on a quest to take down the Green Knight in order to obtain both his courage and gain favor in the eyes of the King. Along the journey, Sir Gawain is faced with obstacles, including thieves, ghosts, sci-fi looking giants and sexually charged nefarious characters. Very good in their supporting roles are Alicia Vikander (dual role Essel/The Lady), Joel Edgerton (The Lord) and Sarita Choudhury (Morgan le Fay-Gawain's Mother). Filmed in Ireland, the misty, magical, hauntingly medieval look and feel of the film are achieved by cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo, featuring a score by composer Daniel Hart.

"ROADRUNNER: A Film About Anthony Bourdain," directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville ("20 Feet from ****"), shines a light on the fast life and tragic death by suicide in 2018 of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The documentary accomplishes this using archival footage from Bourdain's hit television shows, "No Reservations," "Parts Unknown," "The Layover," "A Cook's Tour," along with interviews with him beginning in 1999 as he began writing his best selling book, "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly." The film also includes interviews with various Bourdain family, friends and work colleagues. The grief of his loss is still very raw, evidence of this shown through the interviews in the documentary, leaving the audience with many theories and unanswered questions as to why Anthony Bourdain chose to commit suicide. Much like Bourdain was in life, the film never stops moving, taking you along for the accelerated journey of a man who was inventive, tempestuous, extraordinary, and deeply flawed.

"The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart," the music documentary directed by Frank Marshall about Iconic band The Bee Gees, shines when sharing so much of the brilliant and successful music of The Brothers Gibb, much of the film narrated by the sole survivor of the band, lead singer and songwriter Barry Gibb, proving that their music is truly timeless. But, I found the film faltered by not diving deeper into the struggles of the band, including only a brief spot focusing on their early breakup, no mention of Bee Gees starring in the 1978 Robert Stigwood produced, failed musical film, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and short on the brothers various struggles over the years with addictions, leading to the losses of brothers Andy (1988), Maurice (2003) and Robin (2012), briefly focused in the film. I didn't really feel like I learned anything new about The Brothers Gibb from the documentary that I didn't already know. Still, the documentary thrives by including all the iconic, great music and I especially enjoyed what director Frank Marshall shared on The Bee Gees early Miami years, Criteria Recording Studios and the Gibb Brothers tremendous contribution to the Miami Sound and the Disco Era.

Eric Bana (Aaron Falk) Captivates in Tense Aussie Crime Drama, "The Dry," co-written and directed by Robert Connolly ("The Slap," "Balibo," "The Bank"), based on the novel by Jane Harper. Bana plays a policeman in Melbourne, Australia who goes back to his rural hometown of Kiewarra, in the midst of a long, lingering drought, to attend the funeral of childhood friend, Luke, whose wife and son were brutally murdered. Falk stays and works with the Town Sergeant to try and solve the case of the three deaths. Falk also learns to come to terms with his own role in the unsolved death **** from the town that he befriended when he was a teenager, reopening old wounds. The movie offers twists-and-turns, suspense and a few suspects, with an ending that's a complete surprise, especially for those who haven't read the novel.

Simon Baker & Jacob Junior **** Give Solid Performances in Visually Stunning Aussie Aboriginal Revenge Tale: "High Ground," directed by Stephen Johnson, is a visually stunning Aussie Aboriginal revenge film based on true events story set in 1919 involving a British Colonial massacre of an Aboriginal tribe/family in Northern Territory Australia. 12 years later, a young survivor of the massacre, Gutjuk (Jacob Junior ****), being raised in a white mission, teams up with former soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down the other massacre survivor, Gutjuk's uncle Baywara (Sean ****), a warrior with a revenge streak who is on the run. Terrific supporting cast that includes veteran Aussie TV & Film actor Aaron Pedersen and legendary Australian actor Jack Thompson. Kudos to Cinematographer Andrew Commis, known for previous work as DP on "Babyteeth" and "The Slap," for his extraordinary job on "High Ground" capturing the beauty of Australia's Northern Territory.

Benedict Cumberbatch is outstanding in his role as real life Brit businessman turned Cold War spy Greville Wynne in "The Courier," an intriguing story about one ordinary man's connection to MI6, CIA and KGB operatives and their ambitious attempts to bring a successful end to the Cuban Nuclear Missile Crisis of 1962. An intelligent, well-acted, emotional and fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Sir Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman are sublime in "The Father," co-written and directed by Florian Zeller based on his Play. Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins is simply masterful as an aging man suffering memory loss and Academy Award winner Olivia Colman ("The Favourite") is his daughter and caretaker Anne, equally skillful in her supporting role. The moments of quiet in this film, particularly at the end, are as powerful and significant to the story as the heart-wrenching, emotionally effective performances from the cast.

Minari Roots Deeply Planted in Resilience of Korean Family: Written and directed by Lee Issac Chung, "Minari" follows the Yi family, Jacob, Monica, their 2 children Anne and David and maternal Grandmother, Korean immigrants seeking to live their dream in 1980's America, when father Jacob buys land and moves them all to rural Arkansas to start a farm and garden growing Korean vegetables for wholesale market. The struggles and challenges they face in achieving the dream creates friction, but ultimately strengthens their bond as a family. Simple, relatable story, the film is beautifully shot and the acting from the cast is flawless.

Riz Ahmed Gives Top Performance as a Musician Whose World Goes Silent: "Sound of Metal" stars Riz Ahmed ("Nightcrawler") as Ruben, a heavy-metal drummer and recovering addict whose world goes silent due to severe and sudden hearing loss. The film follows Ruben's journey, a man whose life was given to music, now struggling to deal with and accept this new world gone quiet, filled with muffled and limited sounds. Ahmed's powerful and dignified performance is one of the year's best.

Frances McDormand is Endearing as a Wandering Nomad Displaced by the American Recession: "Nomadland," directed by Chloé Zhao ("The Rider"), written by Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Bruder, follows the story of Fern, played by the once again brilliant, 2-time Oscar-winner, Frances McDormand, a woman forced to become a Nomad after the losses of her job in 2011 at a shut down factory in Nevada, her home, death of her husband and the town she lived in wiped off the map, all painful misfortunes, the results of the American Recession. Fern buys a van, which she customizes as her new home, and wanders the West in a constant search for work, including taking a seasonal job with other Nomads boxing packages at a large Amazon distribution center. The beauty in Chloé Zhao's direction is her ability to play on realism by mixing actors in the film with non-actors who manage to give equally gritty performances. Joshua James Richards, Zhao's Cinematographer, is truly an artist, capturing the breathtaking landscape of the American West, using his camera to paint an alluring palette of the stark Arizona desert, ominous mountains, long, winding, cold and lonely roads, powerful Pacific coastline, the Redwood Forest and glorious sunrises and sunsets.

COLLECTIVE is a powerful, shocking documentary directed by Alexander Nanau exploring the aftermath of the October 2015 Colectiv nightclub fire in Bucharest, Romania which killed 64 people, 26 at the site, 38 in hospitals, injuring 146. With a new election year looming, Journalists and a newly appointed Minister of Health investigate the hospital deaths and expose a corrupt health care system in Romania that has years of unscrupulous political involvement and interference. The film is a very timely exposé on how absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Impressive Directorial Debut from Regina King with One Night in Miami: "One Night in Miami," the directorial debut from Oscar-winner Regina King, is an impressive film adaptation of the 2013 play by Kemp Powers, who also serves as the movie's screenwriter. It's a fictionalized account of a meeting in a motel in February 1964 between 4 Icons, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), NFL legend, Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom, Jr.), after Cassius Clay's boxing win and defeat of Sonny Liston in Miami. Primarily conversational, the men discuss their place in the civil rights movement, culture, fame and their mutual brotherly respect and love. Excellent performances by all 4 actors. Only drawback for me, being a South Floridian, I wish the film was actually shot in Florida, as opposed to Louisiana; however, Kudos to the location and production designers for the beautiful re-creation of a (near)Liberty City Hampton House Motel, and the Fontainebleau Hotel Miami Beach, all in Early 1960's style and decor.

Strong Lead Mads Mikkelsen in Dark Comedy About Drinking Theory, Midlife Anxieties: "Another Round - Druk" is the latest film from Danish director and Dogme 95 movement co-founder, Thomas Vinterberg ("The Hunt," "Far From the Madding Crowd"). "Another Round" is a dark comedy following the lives of four high school teachers in Denmark going through their own individual midlife anxieties. To loosen up, the four men decide to test a theory they found that states one's life can improve by spending the day slightly drunk, at a constant alcohol level of 0.05. The film features a strong, magnificent, emotionally wrenching lead performance by Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre in 2006's, "Casino Royale"; Hannibal Lecter in NBC TV drama, "Hannibal") as history teacher, Martin.

"The Life Ahead," directed by its star Sophia Loren's son, Edoardo Ponti, is a heartfelt film about love, friendship, being wanted and feeling needed. 86 year old Screen Icon Sophia Loren is sublime as Madame Rosa, a Jewish-Italian Holocaust survivor, retired former prostitute, who takes in and looks after the children of prostitutes and kids who are orphaned. One of these orphans is Momo, wonderfully portrayed by 14 year old actor Ibrahima Gueye. Momo is a Muslim immigrant from Senegal, now living in Italy, who survives by selling drugs and stealing from people in the streets. After swiping a purse and pair of candlesticks off Madame Rosa, Momo is sent to live with her to get off the streets and rehabilitate. An unlikely match, Momo and Rosa grow on each other and soon develop a bond of mutual support, friendship and love. An Oscar-nomination worthy performance from Sophia Loren; a real and beautiful performance from young Ibrahima.

"Belushi," the latest documentary about the legendary actor/comedian from director R.J. Cutler, has some interesting highlights of John Belushi's early life and rise to fame starting with Second City to The Lemmings, followed by his fast heights to **** with Saturday Night Live, "Animal House" and The Blues Brothers, but it felt as though the film only lightly brushed over his struggles with addiction and inner demons. The film does include some good interviews with Belushi's wife Judy, friend and former SNL alumni Dan Aykroyd, the late Harold Ramis and late actress Carrie Fisher.

"The Last Vermeer" paints an intelligent, intriguing picture of World War II involving art, **** and an unlikely Dutch hero. Dan Friedkin's directorial debut manages to deliver a thriller while offering instruction on the art of Johannes Vermeer. Guy Pearce stars and gives a work of art performance as the flamboyant Han van Meegeren, a Dutch painter, art dealer and enigma who became famous for selling a rare Vermeer to **** second in command, Hermann Göring. This act led Meegeren to be tried in 1945 as a war criminal. Was he guilty of collaborating with the ****? Or, was he innocent and a hero to the Dutch people? Captain Joseph Piller, played by actor Claes Bang, is the former Dutch Resistance officer who believes Meegeren's innocence, helping and defending him in court. The screenplay, written by Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby (writers of 2007's "First Snow," also starring Guy Pearce) & John Orloff, is based on an adaptation of Jonathan Lopez's, "The Man Who Made Vermeers."

This weekend, thanks to IDA (International Documentary Association), I was given the opportunity to watch Norwegian filmmaker Benjamin Ree's documentary, "The Painter and the Thief." The film follows the 3 year journey of Czech artist living in Norway, Barbora Kysilkova, and her attempt to locate several of her paintings stolen from an art gallery. Barbora connects at the trial with caught ringleader, Karl-Bertil Nordland, a career criminal fighting a heroin addiction and a (possibly)feigned memory loss of the theft, and offers to paint his self-portrait, in hopes this may help her find out the whereabouts of the stolen paintings. What follows this initial meeting between the two is an unexpected friendship and empathetic bond over the next 3 years. Without giving anything away, the documentary's ending is rather extraordinary.

TENET is Mr. Nolan's Wild Ride! The special effects and real-time location shots are some of the best of Nolan's career, James Bond-like and brilliantly photographed in a time sequence format by his cinematographer, Hoyte van Hoytema, who worked as DP on 2 other Christopher Nolan films, "Dunkirk" and "Interstellar." These are reasons the film should be seen in the cinema, on the big screen, to be truly appreciated. Took 2 points off (8 out-of 10) because, while I understood the concept of TENET, Saving the World and International Espionage, the plot is the most challenging to follow of all Nolan's movies. The film moves so quickly, so much going on, that plot points were missed in this first screening of the movie. In true Nolan fashion, as with some of his other films, TENET will require multiple viewings to discover what was missed and to fully comprehend the story. Fine performances from John David Washington as Protagonist, Robert Pattinson as his past-present-future partner Neil, Elizabeth Debicki and Kenneth Branagh who makes a great villain, and a cameo appearance from Nolan muse Michael Caine.