Before the deluge of Romance films and Love series timed to drop over Valentine Day’s weekend, let’s do a shout out for two films that truly entertain while they inspire - complemented by acting performances that shine.
News of the World (Netflix) - Here’s a pleasant surprise, a stately, majestic Western from Director Paul Greengrass. Known more for his frenetic, handheld, political, strong on the action, films; this ‘snapshot’ of the humanity that can be found in the Wild West reunites Greengrass with his Captain Phillips star, Tom Hanks. Here, Hanks portrays another Captain, ex-Confederate Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd. Kidd travels around Texas as a newsreader - literally reading the news to assembled groups who either don’t read themselves or don’t enjoy home delivery of the then broadsheets of the day. As such, he’s a decent man, trying to eke out a living and fits right in with the type of personas Hanks excels in taking on.
The story truly develops as he stumbles upon a hanged Negro who was transporting a young girl of German lineage who had been raised by the Kiowa Indians. She only speaks Kiowa and has flashbacks of German. Kidd names her Johanna (the very impressive Helena Zengel), and the film becomes an odd couple/road odyssey that charms and intrigues. Zengel is so excellent acting alongside Hanks, not intimidated at all, and she’s already notched up Best Supporting Actress nomination nods at the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards - two award giving bodies that singled her out, while ignoring Hanks. This may be dismissed as a Dad movie; but if you give it a chance, you’ll find yourself engrossed in the strong storyline.
The Personal History of David Copperfield (on Demand) - After such films as In the Loop and The Death of Stalin, director Armando Iannucci has become one of my favorites for blending high brow comedy with weighty subject matter. His ear for witty dialogue often matched by acting performances that breathe life into the intriguing characters he creates. Evidently, the man loves his Charles Dickens and so here he is taking on the most autobiographical of Dickens’ majestic novels. Iannucci respects, even reveres, the source material, while reinventing the work in a class all his own. It’s always a joy to see such imagination at work, guiding both mind and eye.
Dev Patel plays Copperfield, and it’s an inspired choice, supported by such acting luminaries as Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Ben Whishaw (as Uriah Heep), Benedict Wong & Peter Capaldi. This controversial choice of Patel is done in such a nonchalant manner it’s as if Iannucci is just saying these are his casting choices because they’re great actors and I’m not even going to acknowledge their ethnic backgrounds. This is refreshing, unlike say a Bridgerton, that actually took pains in trying to justify the casting choices given the obvious historical inaccuracies, and improbability. Patel earns a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for this hilarious film.
And if you’re one of those who follow the film awards season; now may very well be the time to catch up on the films that have snagged nominations and can be viewed on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming options. Luckily for us, on Netflix alone, there are a number of nominated films.
In the Motion Picture categories:
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods (both on Netflix) can boast of Chadwick Boseman in the cast. In the case of Ma Rainey, both Boseman & Viola Davis have snagged Best Actor nods in the Golden Globes & SAG, with the whole ensemble cited in SAG. Boseman gets a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Da 5 Bloods and the ensemble is similarly honored.
Mank (Netflix) has picked up nominations as well. For David Fincher as director, one for his father for the screenplay, plus Amanda Seyfried for Supporting Actress, and its in the running for Golden Globes’ Best Film.
Pieces of a Woman (Netflix) has Vanessa Kirby vying for Best Actress in a Drama. The Trial of the Chicago 7 & The Prom (both on Netflix) snagged Best Film noms. News of the World (see above) and I Care a Lot (drops on Netflix Feb 19) and they both carry Acting nominations. Over the Moon is in the GG list of Best Animated Feature.
One Night in Miami, Sound of Metal, and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm are on Amazon Prime. They’ve garnered Best Film nods or had their lead actors & actresses cited.
In the Television categories:
Ozark, The Queen’s Gambit, Better Call Saul, The Crown, are all on Netflix and have been cited for Best in Series or Limited Series. For Best Performance by an Actress, look out for Lily Collins in Emily in Paris, Sarah Paulson in Ratched, Shira Haas in Unorthodox, and the two leads of Dead to Me.
Al Pacino in Hunters is on Amazon Prime and he has a GG nomination; while in the SAG, Cobra Kai snuck in for stunt work. And the SAG actually gave Bridgerton a nod, presumably to make their awards show more relevant to a younger audience.
So many movies and series to catch up on to make this awards season far more interesting.