Michael Moore takes on Trump; Cage goes bonkers in ‘Mandy’
Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 11/9” ponders how a Twitter-prone, reality TV star with a short fuse turned out to be this nation’s 45th president. Needless to say it’s not a fawning portrait, but it did collect raves at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was the opening night selection.
If you’re seeking another modern predicament, check out “The Children Act.” The incredibly gifted Emma Thompson portrays a judge agonizing over a case that juggles a teen’s health with a right to religious freedom. Ian McEwan adapted the play from his novel of the same name.
If you’d rather cry your eyes out, Dan Fogelman (TV’s “This Is Us”) can oblige. His “Life Itself” chronicles the relationship and challenges of a gorgeous New York couple (Oscar Isaac and Olivia Wilde). The cast is cluttered with A-listers, but the early reviews aren’t giving it a passing grade.
For the younger set, there’s the scare-raising “The House with a Clock in its Walls.” Based on a series of books, Eli Roth (“Hostel”) directs. Jack Black, Cate Blanchett and Kyle MacLachlan costar in a thriller about a kid (Owen Vaccaro) who unwittingly unfurls the welcome mat out for a posse of supernatural beings.
Indie offerings
“BLAZE” >> Actor/filmmaker Ethan Hawke gives us a quietly observant yet deeply involving bio of little-known country artist Blaze Foley. Costars Ben Dickey and Alia Shawkat couldn’t be
finer. Rarely, do musical bios hit such a high note.
“I AM NOT A WITCH” >> In this unshakeable award winner, the feature debut from Rungano Nyoni, a young village girl in Zambia claims she is a witch, setting off events that turn ever more surreal. The sharp screenplay address a swirl of issues, including how unfairly women are treated.
“LIZZIE” >> What drove Lizzie Borden to take up that axe? Director Craig William Macneill and writer Bryce Kass suggest a relationship between Lizzie (Chloe Sevigny) and a housekeeper (Kristen Stewart) played a part. The two leads are sensational in a characterdriven thriller with a sharp feminist message.
“BEL CANTO” >> Ann Patchett’s popular literary thriller gets a good, but not great, adaptation from Paul Weitz. Julianne Moore is well cast as a a soprano performing at a hoity-toity party that’s interrupted by guerrillas demanding the release of their comrades. It’s a powerful story that could have
benefitted from more time spent with the guerrillas.
“MANDY” >> Nicolas Cage is collecting critical high-fives for his over-the-top crazy performance in director Panos Cosmatos’ gory, surreal odyssey set in the ’80s in which a cult shatters the Pacific Northwest tranquility of a couple’s lives. Payback comes a callin’ in the form of an unhinged Cage.
“LOVE, GILDA” >> Lisa DaPlito’s intimate documentary looks into the life, achievements and challenges of the late “Saturday Night Live” comedienne. She’s missed.
Stream these
“QUINCY” >> The life of the iconic and influential music producer gets vividly, thoroughly captured by his daughter, actress/filmmaker Rashida Jones. On Netflix.
“NAPPILY EVER AFTER” >> An appointment at the hair salon creates turmoil for a successful businesswoman (Sanaa Lathan) in the latest Netflix rom-com. Haifaa Al-Mansour directs and her debut feature “Wadjda” is a real find.