The King's Speech (2010)

This is a good film that covers a lot of ground and takes you into the intimate world of King George VI (Colin Firth) back when he was still Bertie, struggling with his stammer.
Something he was always self-conscious about, it becomes of vital importance when his older brother, David (Guy Pearce) starts carrying on (for lack of a better term) with a married woman in what could be perceived as the greatest love story ever. David would give up the throne to marry the woman he loved, refusing to make her his mistress, as his brother suggested.
The Duchess of York, soon to become Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter, great in an understated role) finds Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) whose methods are unconventional but ultimately effective. The film's best scenes are when Lionel helps Bertie improve and get to the root of the problem. Despite being a prince, Bertie's childhood sucked. His father wanted his children to fear him and his first nanny was abusive and purposely neglectful to him and he was forced to write with his right hand, as it wasn't appropriate to be left-handed back at the turn of the century.
Their relationship isn't all sunshine and roses, though, Lionel is too pushy and, as it turns out, isn't actually a doctor but gets results anyway and Bertie still lacks confidence and nerve. He never expected to be king and his wife never expected to be queen but it happened nevertheless and Bertie is terrified that he will be dreadful as he can't even speak to his people as it tumbles toward another war.
While the film is great packed with top-notch performances, it isn't perfect. There is a lot of plot and it sort of jumps around a bit, but it has a lot of ground to cover and it does. The cinematography, editing, costumes and set design is impeccable. And it tells a gentle story of a great friendship, which defied the odds as true friendships should. Grade: A-

Children of a Lesser God (1986)

When was the last time there was a deaf character in a main stream Hollywood film? I can't think of another time.
Sarah (Marlee Matlin) is a young, deaf woman who seems to enjoy her simple life as a janitor at a deaf school. Idealistic teacher, James Leeds (William Hurt) comes along and first tries to get her to understand how the ability to speak could open up so many doors for her but ends up falling in love with her.
Their's is not an easy love story as Sarah hates when others expect her to learn how to speak and read lips and never bother learning sign language and she does have a point. However, the film doesn't listen, as subtitles are not used and when Sarah signs, James says out loud what she is saying. While that helps the hearing audience, I would have found subtitles more realistic.
He does try to adapt, but is bored beyond all reason at a deaf party while she does fine playing poker with the principal of the school and his friends and James does decide that she will move in with him without asking her if that's what she wants. And she gets him back, refusing to let anyone speak for her again.
She leaves him and ironically enough moves in with her mother (Piper Laurie) who does welcome her with open arms, which is an about face from earlier in the film. She did have some resentment toward her daughter as Sarah is the reason for her divorce but at least she's moved on from that.
Now, it ends happily, with James and Sarah getting back together and agreeing to compromise, though you never see the compromise.
Sarah is a strong character but her stubborness almost destroys her. She does have a point, it isn't acceptable for her to cater to the world but she also shouldn't expect the world to cater to her.
My main problem with the film, other than lack of subtitles, is one of the silent students in James's speech class who doesn't seem to read lips or wish to speak and his story is never solved and left incomplete.
And the score and sound effects are haunting at the end of the film, but given the subject matter, inappropriate. That being said, it was a great love story, realistically done and the performances make the film something special. Grade: B+

Mississippi Burning (1988)

Things haven't changed much. I mean, they have changed quite a bit, but still, being black in America is rough but especially so in 1964 Mississippi.
The FBI is called in to investigate the deaths of three young civil rights workers, two white, one black. And it is not an easy investigation, especially since no one wants them there.
Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) is originally from Mississippi, though he has since moved on but he is use to the culture and tries to get on the people's good side while Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) is younger and in charge and he tries to do everything by the book.
It isn't until a witness, the pretty and kind wife of the deputy is nearly beaten to death that Mr. Ward (so formal, always calling each other by their last names) changes his tune. They manipulate the mayor (who eventually commits suicide) to giving up the information.
Seven men were involved but naturally, they are not charged with murder because this is Mississippi and they would never be found guilty so instead they are charged with civil rights violations and do end up with jail time, not enough for the lives of three men will never breath again, but it is something.
Overall, the film is solid with Hackman (Oscar nominated) and Dafoe (no nomination) matching each other beat for beat and Frances McDormand as the deputy's wife is great leading the way for performances. The romance between Anderson and Mrs. Pell (McDermond) is underdeveloped and inappropriate to say the least.
The main problem I have with the film is the line that Anderson really likes, shamelessly stealing it from a celebrated black comedian Dick Gregory, but nevertheless it is effective, yet no credit is given to its rightful owner. And this film is painfully sad, with the FBI perhaps causing even more harm to come to the community, with constant beatings and burning down houses and churches. The best line comes at the end, when Mr. Ward says that the mayor is just as guilty as the men who pulled the trigger and maybe they all are. While they use their evil tactics for a greater good, the tactics are mean and cruel, not to mention unethical. 
Though I do have problems with it, the film shows that hatred is taught from generation to generation and how difficult it is to overcome it. And it shows a depressing time in our history that will hopefully eventually be just that, history. Grade: A-

Hoosiers (1986)

This was actually a decent sports film.
Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) is hired by his life-long friend to coach high school basketball. Norman has a troubled past. He used to coach college ball but was handed down a lifetime ban for assaulting one of his own players in a scene that he can barely remember or comprehend. And his methods are controversial to say the least. Hickory High School is incredibly small, with just 64 guys in the whole school and there are only six guys on the team after one doesn't listen when Coach speaks to them and is kicked out. The star of the school isn't playing as he misses the former coach and soon, the town wants Coach Dale gone with his insistence of having the players pass the ball four times before shooting and bad attitude when it comes to refs giving fouls to his team (some justified, others not so much) and getting kicked out of the games. He very nearly loses his job but is saved by the Hail Mary, almost literally when the star, Jimmy (Maris Valainis) joins the team only if Dale will still coach, so he stays and they do start winning. Coach also tries to sober up the town drunk, Shooter (Dennis Hopper, good but not Oscar-nomination worthy), who is also the father of one of the players. Not that that lasts and he ends up drying out in a hospital.
There is also the obligatory romance between Norman and the acting principal Myra (Barbara Hershey), which ends just as you'd expect.
I do have problems with the film, none of the players (with the exception of the pastor's son) really have personalities, a major problem and when one of the players throws a punch, no further discussion or punishment is handed down, which would never fly in this day's age. But to have a woman as acting principal in 1951, that is a good move and she is a fairly strong character so all is not lost. And the basketball game scenes are well choreographed so the film at least flew by quickly. Grade: B

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)

This is a melancholic little film about the last days of Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) a great actress in the forties and fifties before falling by the wayside after becoming infamous for marrying her former stepson, which must make for an awkward family reunion.
But now, she is performing plays in England and is dying of cancer. She previously had radiation but not chemotherapy because she didn't want to lose her hair as without her hair, she wouldn't be able to work and everyone would know the truth.
In this film, it portrays a simple love story between Gloria and the much younger struggling actor Peter Turner (Jamie Bell) who is devastated when he learns the truth. Despite the fact that she has a son older than him, the two are very happy until Gloria learns that the cancer has returned and she purposes sabotages the relationship and Peter returns to England for a role in a play. But soon, she is also in that country for a play and after she collapses (after spending all that time getting her face ready), she goes to Peter's childhood home to die. Though Peter's family is largely supportive, they absolutely believe something serious is wrong with her, more than just gas in her stomach. And they believe that her family should be told, which she finally admits. Her son arrives to take her back to New York and Peter lets her go, reluctantly. Gloria barely survives the trip. Upon arrival, she is immediately admitted into the hospital where she dies later that day.
Gloria is largely happy with her life; she no longer has a mansion but she has a delightful little trailer right on the beach. Yes, her relationship with Peter is odd though Gloria is incredibly sensitive about her age, they are nevertheless in love.
The plot may not be much and it told in a non-linear timeline but the film is nevertheless captivating with brilliant performances, tangible chemistry and an interesting life bursting to fill the screens make this film excellent. Gloria certainly had an interesting life and that could have filled several more films in addition to this one. I wonder when Annette will ever win her Oscar as she turns in good performance after good performance. Gloria was fortunate enough to win an Oscar (I'll argue for the wrong film), I just hope Annette will be as fortunate. Grade: B+

Tully (2018)

This film is all a lie. It is perceived to be one thing one it is actually another.
Marlo (Charlize Theron, brilliant) is very stressed out, with two young children, including a 'quirky' son, when the word that likely should be used is Asperber's or Autism. He throws a fit when the main parking lot is full. Things only get worse when the new baby is born. Mia is utterly adorable but cries constantly adding to the constant exhaustion Marlo feels. And her husband is basically useless. Sure, Drew (Ron Livingstone) isn't an alcoholic asshole and he does work hard, but he doesn't do much with the kids. Until the end, you only see him help with the kids once. Marlo's brother, Craig (Mark Duplass) does try to help by gifting her a night nanny which she feels is something extravagant and ridiculous but eventually she gives in, as the school informs that her son is no longer welcome.
Enter Tully (Mackenzie Davis) and things start to improve as Marlo is finally getting the sleep she needs and the house is cleaner, cupcakes are made for the kids' school. She and Tully form a good friendship, although then Tully's job is over and she needs to go though Marlo is devastated.
The problem is, that is a lie. Tully never appears. It is a figment of Marlo's mind (a younger version of herself); in reality, she is suffering from severe postpartum depression and severe exhaustion, falling asleep behind the wheel while driving and nearly dying. The sad and devastating part, her husband didn't even notice.
Sure, things get better and the elephant in the room is never discussed but I don't know how a marriage can rebuild after that. I would feel crushed and betrayed if my husband paid so little attention to my needs. Equally as unacceptable is the fact that the school and various doctors seemed unable to diagnose Jonah with what is clearly the problem.
That being said, Theron is excellent and Davis is great and this film shows how stressful, lonely and depressing life as a new parent can be. She is up every few hours to feed the baby, change the baby and lull her to sleep again while her husband sleeps like a log. The house is realistically messy and their lives chaotic, which is not often seen.
The only thing that should have tipped me off to Tully being fake is that when Marlo describes Drew as the bench on a carousel, Tully says he sounds really nice, when he just seems like a lump to me. So, I wonder what else I've missed. Grade: B

Black Panther (2018)

This was probably my favorite Marvel film.
We have the classic good versus evil but with a twist. Wakanda is a cool place. There are plenty of farmers but they have a secret weapon, a powerful compound called Vibranium which means that their technology is beyond our wildest dreams and it comes in handy several times. However, the king has died, so throne is passed down to his son, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who also assumes the powers of the Black Panther. Unfortunately for T'Challa, he fails in his first mission as king, failing to murder the nasty Englishman Klaue who killed the parents of T'Challa's best friend, W'Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) and stole some Vibranium. He doesn't capture Klaue as Klaue is rescued by the former black ops soldier, Erik Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) who has plenty of secrets of his own. This causes W'Kabi to turn on T'Challa. And the past is never far away. T'Challa's uncle wanted to help the underprivileged to rise above their circumstances; however, most Wakandians wanted to protect their sacred world. Erik is different. The cousin of T'Challa, he defeats him but is downright nasty to his new people and starts to spread his beliefs and cause the people to rise above their governments, which would create a world-wide civil war.
Naturally, eventually with the help of his sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), the General (Danai Gurira), who doesn't like wigs, and his love, Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) who wants to be an ambassador of goodwill, T'Challa defeats his cousin and Erik passes up the opportunity for T'Challa to save him, not wishing to spend the rest of his life in servitude.
And yes, there are great scenes both during and after the credits.
This film is completely solid, with a seamless, layered plot with brilliant cinematography by one of the most talented in the business, Rachel Morrison and Ryan Cooger is a superb director. The score is great and the characters aren't one dimensional though there are plenty of them and the actors are great. It is nice seeing Martin Freeman being used as almost comic relief and share a scene with Stan Lee and seeing Andy Serkis in the flesh. I will actually gladly watch this film again, which is rare for me to say about an action film. It was slick and modern and great. Grade: A-