2 of world’s finest administrators are at their finest
Two pregnant women (played by Milena Smit (left) and Penelope Cruz) bond in unusual ways in “Parallel Mothers,” the latest film from director Pedro Almodovar.
Two of today's most acclaimed international filmmakers – Pedro Almodovar and Asghar Farhadi – prove that they still have a masterful sensibility in this week's new releases. Here is our summary.
“Parallel mothers”: Spain's influential filmmaker Pedro Almodovar shows us that he is as playful, adventurous and relevant as ever in this incredibly good and surprisingly emotional melodrama that covers important themes such as history, birthright and the bonds between women. Almodovar also gives Penelope Cruz the chance to shine brighter than ever before. She plays Janis, a smart, successful single woman who is overjoyed about the impending birth of her firstborn. At the hospital she meets Ana (Milena Smit), a teenager who is not so thrilled about her pregnancy. The two different women connect and their lives intertwine in incredible, unexpected, and 100 percent Almodovan ways. It is also a haunting and devastating look at Spain's troubled history and attitudes towards women. Details: 3½; hits theaters in San Francisco on January 7th and expands on January 14th.
“A hero”: A seemingly good deed – returning a missing bag of gems – becomes a viral sensation, with neighbors, strangers and strategists praising and sometimes praising the compassionate “action” of Rahim (Amir Jadidi), who has just been released from prison also co-opt a penalty for non-payment of a debt. Iranian-born filmmaker Asghar Farhadi (“The Salesman” and “A Separation”) takes a clear, black-and-white premise and shades it with a number of moral gray areas as circumstances change for Rahim, who has a girlfriend. dissolve and a disabled son. True to form, Farhadi addresses these moral questions without being strident or even choosing a side. This non-judgmental approach makes this a wiser, richer story that expresses the volatile mood of our world, where finger-pointing and spewing outrage drown out decency, compassion and the understanding that we all make mistakes. The final scene is devastating. Details: 3½ out of 4 stars; opens in select theaters on January 7th; Streaming January 21st on Amazon Prime.
“The Book of Boba Fett”: As with the extremely successful “Mandalorian,” Disney+ reaches into the “Star Wars” treasure chest and comes up with another gold nugget. Looking like a cross between Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel, New Zealander Temuera Morrison is the ideal Fett, a silent bounty hunter who cleans up the mess caused by intergalactic slob/mob boss Jabba the Hutt. Robert Rodriguez directs this series with panache and style, particularly in the parkour-style daring scenes and flashbacks that pay homage to science fiction greats Robert Heinlein and Ray Harryhausen. Add in a badass Ming-Na Wen as Fett's brawn, and this first episode promises to be another winner. Details: 3 stars; Now available on Disney+.
“See for me”: Canadian newcomer Randall Okita injects a new engine into the home invasion thriller genre, bringing visual flair and style to this work. Former Olympic skier Sophie (Skyler Davenport; so good and so strong) remains bitter after an accident puts her fast-moving career on hold. Sophie, who was blinded in the accident, meets shady characters while house-sitting in a remote mansion in the woods. Cue the spooky soundtrack. Adam Yorke and Tommy Gushue's clever script illustrates the predicament faced by Audrey Hepburn's character in the 1967 classic Wait Until Dark. Details: 3 stars; opens in select theaters and on demand on January 7th.
“Chimney Town Poupelle”: In this animated fable, a hardworking young chimney sweep named Lubicchi meets his best and only friend, an L. Frank Baum-like creation made out of trash. Akihiro Nishino's spirited adventure does an excellent job of world-building, creating a city devoid of any greenery. Richly animated and surprisingly touching, “Poupelle” is a gem from Tokyo-based Studio4ºC. Details: 3 stars; in select theaters on January 7th.
“Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer”: Netflix satisfies the insatiable appetite for true crime stories with a lurid three-parter about a serial killer who preys on sex workers in 1979 New York. Joe Berlinger compiles reenactments, archival footage, and interviews to revisit the horrific murders most often committed in seedy motels. For true crime fans, it's irresistible, but what makes “Times Square Killer” better than the standard is the fact that it reflects the rampant noxiousness that blanketed the area. Details: 2½ stars; Now available on Netflix.
“The Silent Sea”: This new Netflix sci-fi series from South Korea is as original as it is captivating. The eight-parter features numerous cliffhangers in each episode and features an excellent cast as it revolves around a disused lunar space station where the team is tasked with recovering an unknown object. Doctor Song Ji-an (Bae Doona from “Sense8”) searches for answers, especially what happened to her sister at the research station. She and others have fled a parched earth where scarce water is controlled by a box-like system. “Sea” doesn’t always work, but when it gets into full swing (near the 5th episode), you can expect it to really take off. Details: 3 stars; available on Netflix.
“The relatives”: In this dark and claustrophobic low-budget horror show, new mother Helen (April Pearson) awakens from a coma to the devastating news that she is in the hospital after her father committed suicide in front of her. Their marriage is hitting a rocky patch and Helen suffers strange visions as she tries to figure out what caused her father to end his life. Director Jamie Pearson creates a “Rosemary's Baby” atmosphere, while Christian J. Hearn's script takes us to some very gnarly and desperate psychological places. Details: 2½ stars; Available upon request on January 7th.
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.
