by Sam Juliano
Those of us working in school systems will be on holiday break after Friday, though for most the Christmas-New Year’s span will bring the usual winter vacation. As usual this time of the year is hectic and it usually comes down to what are the main priorities as time rushes by. Here at Wonders in the Dark we are maintaining the status quo with James Clark publishing his stupendous critical film essays and J.D. Lafrance his superlative weekly movie reviews. Yours Truly, at a much more leisurely pace than past years, continues forward with the annual Caldecott Medal Contender series. Number 10 appeared earlier today.
Acclaimed star Regina King and director Barry Jenkins spoke at a lengthy Q & A Thursday night at the Angelika Film Center after the 7:05 screening of the masterful “If Beale Street Could Talk” based on the novel by James Baldwin. The film, a poetic and bittersweet examination of social injustice in 1960’s Harlem showcases the indomitably of love in a ravishing humanist canvas, imbued with spirituality, poetic cinematography by James Laxton and a brilliant cast led by King as Sharon Rivers, the mother of the young pregnant woman who stays by her man despite a bogus charge of rape. Many highlights including a violent family confrontation scene instigated by Fenny’s holy-roller mother, but the lush tapestries bring an idyllic haze to a trenchant depiction of social realism. Nicolas Britell’s brooding score beautifully defines the visuals. Looking like a 5/5 to me at this point. Lucille, who attended with me was also mightily impressed.
Lucille and I followed up our screening of “If Beale Street Could Talk” last night with a 10:00 P.M. showing of the electrifying gospel performance from 46 years ago by Aretha Franklin, titled “Amazing Grace” at the Film Forum just a few blocks west of the Angelika on Houston Street. Though unremarkable in the manner it was filmed -much of it by Sydney Pollack who is seen darting around the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles -Aretha is incandescent in a larger-than-life performance that was tuned into her most successful album ever and the best-selling of all Gospel albums. To see “Amazing Grace” is to be transformed. 4.5 of 5. Of course the film will count as a 2018 release since it was never before released until now.
“The Mule” is an uneven, narratively disjointed drug cartel drama, but perhaps slightly better than I expected it would be mainly because the 88 Clint Eastwood who directed the film is irresistible playing the lead and the supporting cast is quite fine.
If Beale Street Could Talk ***** (Thursday night) Angelika Film Center
Amazing Grace **** 1/2 (Thursday night) Angelika Film Center
The Mule *** (Saturday night) Secaucus multiplex
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Reckon I’ll give The Mule a miss — not an Eastwood fan — but the other two look interesting.
John my friend, that is a smart strategy all around methinks. Trust you and Pam are busy with all the usual preparations. Wishing you all a Merry though I’ll be formal on next week’s MMD. Heading over now to Noirish to see what is up in that busy and enlightening place! Thank you!
Reading a book a day right now and that feels just about right. IT Girl is in Japan until mid January and so now I am having computer glitches one after the other…oh dear! You know Christmas is not very fun without children – next year I am going to do something about that and make it fun again. The local Nutcracker was great and so too the symphony performance, and yet I have to admit I am looking forward to a January 5th birthday party more than anything else. Christmas Pageant was cancelled due to wind and rain storm and no power. Each year is different and that is good too
Patricia, by now I’m sure you’ve finished that book and are probably reporting it at your site. THE NUTCRACKER is always a joy and seeing it annually does boost the holiday season! Wishing you a wonderful January 5th Birthday but before that a soulful holiday season!! Sorry about the weather cancelling the Christmas pageant. The best to you always and thank you for all you give to the world!
Reading about the sex in The Mule makes me think octogenarian Eastwood has elephantiasis of the testes.
Mr. Big Round Balls, still irresistible to women (he thinks) even in his advanced state of physical senescence.
Which reminds me. Farewell to the otherworldly Sondra Locke, so fine in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and many other films.
Hahahahahahahaha Mark! I hear ya!!!!! Eastwood’s politics always sicken me too!
Yes Locke was a real star and I had seen she passed. R.I.P.
Wishing you and yours a Marry Christmas and Happy New Year my valued longtime friend!! Your insights are always deeply appreciated!
How wonderful to have been able to attend the Q&A after the screening of “Beale Street.” I absolutely cannot wait to see this film, being a huge fan of Jenkins and King. I have no doubt it will be an amazing film experience based on what you and others have said about it. And that gospel performance the following evening…wow, Sam, you really make me envious!
As for “The Mule”, it can fall off a cliff for all I care, haha. Eastwood is well past his expiration date, as are his dated worldviews, though one can’t deny his star-power and the entertainment he provided in the past.
I did catch “Roma” on Netflix and was mostly enthralled, though maybe not as ravished as others have been. (I couldn’t help but think about Elaine’s views on “The English Patient” in Seinfeld haha). Though seriously “Roma” has much to applaud.
https://theschleicherspin.com/2018/12/16/the-flow-of-life-in-roma/
David, I do well remember you are a big fan of Jenkins and King indeed. And I have no doubt you will connect in a big way with the film. Ditto the Aretha Franklin doc. You are right on THE MULE, which is ultimately forgettable. I have seen and responded to your excellent review of ROMA which I do consider one of the best films of 2018. Happy Holidays to you, wife and new baby my longtime friend!
Another remarkable week at the cinemas, and I’m sure you’ll be busy seeing others in the coming days. I figured The Mule wouldn’t be so hot. Really wanna see Vice.
Merry Christmas Ricky! We hope to see VICE on the evening of Christmas Day tomorrow. Thank you as ever my good friend!
Hello Sammy! It’s been a long time since we’ve chatted. I haven’t come up for air for quite some time since the summer as once we got our puppy it was quite a lifestyle change to adjust to. We are into a routine now and she is such a darling pup. Our girls are doing great in school this year and we are looking forward to our Christmas break. My oldest turns 11 tomorrow. Hard to believe how quickly they grow up. I haven’t seen many films this year as once the kids stay up later, it’s harder to find quiet time to be able to sit down and focus on a film. My wife and are planning to catch Ethan Hawke in First Reformed on Friday though. We have been meaning to see that for some time. I plan to get back into visiting here more regularly so looking forward to catching up. Hope you are well and wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas my friend!
Thrilled to hear from you my friend and at the holidays make sit special. Yes I know well how pets will impact the domestic environment. Fantastic your girls are doing well, a chip off the whole block for sure! By now I’m sure you’ve seen FIRST REFORMED and I’d like to hear your verdict. I think your girls will really adore MARY POPPINS RETURNS! A Happy and a Healthy to you all my longtime friends!