I had the extreme pleasure of being able to see “A Star is Born” a few days before the official release date, which is this Friday, October 5th. I had already gotten goosebumps watching the preview and I am a huge Bradley Cooper fan so it must be said, I went in with high expectations. I can honestly say, I was not disappointed in the least. I knew that this is the 4th remake of “A Star is Born” but I have not seen any of the previous versions. The closest I come to knowing the other versions is I can recognize the cover of the 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kirstofferson. I actually appreciated being able to go into this version without knowing anything about the plot or trajectory of the story (other than what I had seen in the previews). The overall plot is simple, at the core it is a love story. A deep and powerful love story that is so believable because of the intense chemistry between Cooper and Lady Gaga. It felt so personal to watch their story and love develop.

Bradley Cooper opened up to Barbara Walters several years ago about his experience with alcoholism and drug addiction and why he decided to get sober in his late 20s. It feels very much like Cooper was pulling from his own experience to create Jackson Maine. The struggle his character has with alcoholism is so painful to watch but so realistic and how that level of addiction is like an earthquake, impacting all the relationships around the person. Balancing the alcoholism though was the Cooper charm and smile and you instantly saw how someone would love this man.  “A Star is Born” is Lady Gaga’s first leading role. In life, Lady Gaga is larger than life but here, she is almost unrecognizable due to her simplicity and barebones beauty. Many of her early scenes have her in little makeup with natural brown hair.

You will not find covers from any of the previous versions of “A Star is Born” in this version, you will only hear original music co-written by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Most of the songs are recorded live on-set as that was something Lady Gaga specifically requested. The songs are powerful and dynamic, especially “The Shallow” the song featured in the preview, which most likely will walk away with Best Original Song this year.

“A Star is Born” is not a perfect movie. My husband and I found ourselves asking why certain things were never said or done and if “this or that” was realistic. In the end though, it seemed more authentic that not everything was said or shown and it didn’t tie up every end neatly. Life and love are not like that. They are intense and raw and sometimes, a little messy. Finally, like a river running through the movie, there is the solid message about raw talent and creativity and how fame (and possibly pop culture today) destroys everything good and true and real. I for one will be seeing this movie again in the theatre and I recommend you don’t wait for DVD or streaming as the musical performances alone are worth the ticket price. At times I felt like I was in a concert watching Cooper and Gaga perform. It was absolutely amazing!

Grade: A

A cynical adult may look at Mr. Rogers (full name Fred McFeely Rogers which is a bit off-putting considering he has a show for children) and think, “he can’t really be that nice, there’s got to be something wrong with him?” Because of all that cynicism in the world there were a variety of rumors floating around about Mr. Rogers including that he had several tattoos and was a NAVY seal in Vietnam (both inaccurate). In reality, or at least the reality that is portrayed in “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”, is that Mr. Rogers really was the thoughtful, sensitive and caring human being he portrays himself to be on television. He was often sick as a child and had a lot of insecurity and so he decided to make a show for children to help them understand all the intense and very real emotions children feel but often can’t explain or understand. In this time of turmoil in our country, it was comforting to think that someone could actually be the person they are on television without some seedy underbelly of despair and depravity. The overall documentary was a bit choppy at times and didn’t always flow smoothly as it was trying to weave in historical references of the time along with Fred’s history and the history of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”  That being said, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” was still an enjoyable look into the show I spent many hours watching as a child. It was also interesting to note that Mr. Rogers didn’t really care for most television that was out there for children and I kept wondering to myself what he would think today. Would you be impressed with shows such as Wild Kratts and Octonauts that work on being educational and fun? Would he be saddened by other shows that seem to undermine children’s intelligence and capacity to understand.

Grade: B+

Eighth Grade is such an authentic and genuine movie. It is heartbreaking to watch as most of us can relate to those awkward years when you are trying to figure out who you are, connect with friends, separate from parents (all the while still needing reassurance that they will be there for you no matter what) and having your body ravaged by hormones. Ugh! It’s the worst and this movie perfectly captures the entire excruciating experience like a 2-hour Polaroid picture. The movie follows Kayla, through her last year of middle school. She has a vlog (video blog for those who are not in the know) preaching about issues and topics that she does not herself embody. It’s almost like a way she can try on a different hat and see if it fits or it’s a way to express who she wishes she were or could be if only she weren’t so self-conscious/anxious/nervous. She receives a time capsule from when she was starting middle school and is shocked to find that she hasn’t changed that much. She is preparing to make a new time capsule to read when she graduates and feels stuck, as we all would, to who she is and who she is going to be in 4 years. In many ways Eighth Grade is timeless because even though I was in eighth grade many, many years ago (I just celebrated my 20-year high school reunion), I could still very easily relate to this young Kayla. I saw it with several girlfriends and we all kept turning to each other and acknowledging that we remember that feeling/moment. Eighth Grade is also modern and today with a key player in the movie being social media. I am SO glad that social media and cell phones were not around when I was younger. I struggle now, as an adult, with comparing and feeling like everyone is living a bigger, better, more exciting life than I am. I can’t even imagine how a teenager or pre-teen would feel seeing friends post about parties they weren’t at or beautiful selfies which have been heavily altered and enhanced and wondering, why don’t I look like that and they do???  I have two quotes from Eighth Grade that are too amazing to not share, both come from Kayla while she is doing her vlog. The first quote is about being yourself, “What does it mean, being yourself? Aren’t I always myself” I guess being yourself is about not changing yourself.” And the second quote is about confidence, “A big part of confidence is being brave, and you can’t be brave without being scared.” Words to live by Kayla, words to live by.

There is very little not to love about Eighth Grade. It is and sweet and lovely ode to a time we all want to forget but will always remember.

Grade: A

Hereditary is an intense, terrifying movie. It reminded be a bit of the “Babadook” in the themes of family dysfunction and grief. “Hereditary” has a bit of a Gothic feel to it in that a major setting is a house. Is this house haunted or are the people living in it just really odd and withdrawn from each other? The house seems beautiful at first viewing but continues to grow darker and more menacing as the movie progresses, much like the characters themselves. Toni Collette is at the top of her game and it is unfortunate that she will most likely not get an Oscar nomination for this film because it is in the horror genre. Her facial expressions alone deserve honorable mention. There are a lot of important plot-points to this film that should not be divulged as we know very little going in and things slowly and carefully get revealed, the plot being moved along by different shocking and surprising turn of events. The first hour is a slow simmer, giving us a tale of loss and a family trying to hold together and then it unfolds into a terrifying and horrific tale, ending with a disturbing final image that will haunt you. 

Warning: This movie is not for everyone. It is scary and gory and it does not shy away. Not for the faint of heart. True fans of the macabre and horror will enjoy no doubt.

Grade: A

What an absolute surprising gem of a movie. I will admit I have not seen the original “Jumanji” (gasp away). I was never interested. I also wasn’t interested in this movie when it hit the theatres. However, after hearing multiple people singing the movies praises, I decided to take a shot. This movie is hysterical. Jack Black’s character alone is worth watching the movie. The premise is enjoyable and there is a balance between story and action. The end has a tender and sweet message about life and being able to be our best version of ourselves. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Grade: A

There really isn’t anything technically wrong with “Oceans 8.” The cast is entertaining and beautiful. It’s awesome to see a group of sexy, talented actresses taking on the slick, cool con-men of the Ocean’s world. Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett make a good duo, similar to George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The movie is quick-paced and cool. The clothing and hair are dazzling. I found myself waiting for the next scene just to see what everyone was going to be wearing and how they were going to look. I know I strutted out of the theatre a little taller and feeling just a little cooler (although instead of wearing a snazzy outfit and jewelry, I was in my jeans, flip-flops and my “Cute But Kinda Weird” t-shirt). The problem with “Ocean’s 8” is that it just isn’t as good as “Ocean’s 11.” The twists and turns are sort of predictable and blah. There isn’t a moment where your eyes go wide and you are like “wow!” It’s fun to watch. It’s a solid heist movie. To be clear though, it is not “Ocean’s 11.”

Grade: C+

I loved the first “Deadpool.”  It was a refreshing superhero movie mostly because “Deadpool” is a superhero similar to the way Dexter is a good guy. I mean they both are doing “good” but they are kind of dark and twisty while doing it. I am a lover of the dark and twisty so I am a fan of the not so shiny hero. I also appreciated the R-rating of “Deadpool” so we can finally be real with the violence and the action and not hold back with swearing. Basically, “Deadpool” doesn’t have to be marketed and targeted for 12-year-old boys. “Deadpool 2” felt like leftovers. You warm them up in a microwave and they still taste sort of like the amazing Vietnamese you had the a few days before but just not quite as good…a little dryer, a little older, and just not quite as tasty. “Deadpool 2” felt like a rehashment (I’m not sure that’s even a word) of the initial film and jokes but with more action, and I never like MORE action. Ugh! I was bored by the end.

Grade: C

Upon leaving the theatre I would have given “Tully” a B. It was not fully what I expected and so I was thrown off initially. If one goes in thinking that “Tully” is a dramedy about a woman struggling through motherhood you would only be a little correct. It is really a dark drama that is about a woman struggling. She is also a mother and the parent of a newborn and a son who is “quirky.” She has a marriage that has fallen into a bit of a flat routine. After hiring a night nurse, this woman starts to feel better because she is getting sleep, some help around the house, and is starting to feel more like herself. There are a lot of deep, tough issues in this film. It is an important film for mothers to see. Diablo Cody is a brilliant writer and she brings her edge, darkness and sarcasm to this script. Thinking about this movie more and talking to some of my fellow friends and mothers who have seen “Tully”, I have upped my initial grade to an A- because I actually think it’s a really powerful film about who we are and who we become after having children. All women lose some sense of who they are and there is a sadness and grief in that process of becoming a parent. Parenthood is the hardest job you will ever love but damn, it is hard.

Grade: B….later A-

A small and powerful film. The acting by Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola were worth the price of the movie ticket (although because I have MoviePass, I guess I didn’t really pay for my ticket). The movie is about Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returning to her childhood home and town, which happens to be an Orthodox Jewish community after her father suddenly dies. We are dropped into a story and we don’t really know what has happened or what will happen but we know that Ronit is somewhat unwelcome by many in the community, despite the fact that her father was beloved in the community. We sense ease, sadness and a lot of tension and between Ronit and Esti (Rachel McAdams) and a true friendship with Dovid (Allessandro Nivola) who is a friend and was a close pupil of her father, and maybe the son he never had since he only had a daughter, Ronit. “Disobedience” is dripping with quiet, raw emotion. It is a sad and heartbreaking film. Ronit knows who she is but also feels sadness because she is not accepted for who she is by her community and perhaps by her father. This film delves into the pain that comes with losing a parent and feeling like there were things left unresolved and unsaid. “Disobedience” is a story about childhood friends, lovers, fathers and daughters, and coming home.  

Grade: B

After having seen “The Quiet Place” I started to fantasize about what the viewing experience would have been like if I had known next to nothing about this movie. I imagine a preview of one of the many silent family scenes, followed by an accidental noise and then look of sheer terror on our stars, John Krazinski and, real-life-spouse, Emily Blunt. The screen cuts to black and then it says something like “If they hear you, they hunt you” and that’s about it. Previews today give away far too much. It’s as if people want to watch the cliffs notes version of the movie before they go and see the movie. For a movie like “The Quiet Place”, the less you know going in, the scarier the movie. I felt like I knew a lot of the surprises and scares so when we got there, it just wasn’t as terrifying. Overall the solid place was a solid film and John Krazinski, if he can maintain this quality, will have a successful directing career. I just wish he and the production and marketing crew would have respected the film more and given less away. Horror is all about what you don’t see or what you might see, it has nothing to do with what you have seen.

Grade: B- (Grade if I had viewed it without seeing any previews A-)