Indignation

Indignation is a gripping, potent and engaging movie with a script that deserves prizes. It is based on a Phiip Roth novel, which I plan to read very soon. The movie contains one of my favorite scenes ever when Marcus Mesner (Logan Lerman), a brilliant college freshman, meets for a lengthy and frank discussion with the Dean (Tracy Letts). This is another example of why I go to the movies. It clearly will be one of the best of the year.

Olympics 2016

How about the women's 400?  Allyson Felix appeared to catch Shaunae Miller just before the finish line when Miller dove across the line and won by 7/100 of a second.  Come on.  This is a race, not a race and dive event.

The Night Of

Check out The Night Of.  A new HBO mini series of 8 episodes now going into #3.
This one puts us right in there with the criminal justice system, low, nasty and, I think, all too real.
John Turturro is the defense lawyer in a gritty homicide case.  4 stars.

Captain Fantastic

For those of us who at one time or another pursued idealism in a way that dug in, this is an especially moving film, and hopefully, for many others too .  Viggo Mortenson is truly fantastic and his kids love him so.  I have to say this movie touched me deeply, with connections to John Lennon's Imagine.

New Slogan

Samoblog finds it important at times to put something out there:
New slogan for assault weapons proponents, NRA, et al:
RIFLES FOR LIFE

Frank Zappa

Eat That Question, Frank Zappa in His Own Words is a documentary film not to be missed.  This guy is an engaging and articulate musician with a consistent determination to hold onto his core beliefs.  This is a film worth way more than the price of admission.  The music doesn't really do it for me, but the strength and power of his words and personality are absolutely compelling.

Weiner, Genius and A Bigger Splash

Weiner is a startling documentary about the ex-NY congressman, Anthony Weiner.  After viewing even part of this movie, a big question arises as to why he allowed this movie to be made.  He resigned his congressional seat after it was revealed that he had been sexting online by showing his bulging crotch. He subsequently ran for mayor and swore he was over this behavior.  Then it was shown that he continued sexting and also having phone sex. Needless to say, he lost overwhelmingly in the race for mayor. I found an even bigger question that was not mentioned at all, and that is, why didn't he or his wife make any mention of the obvious need for psychotherapy?
Genius is another good movie based upon facts about the editor, Max Perkins (Colin Firth), for Thomas Wolf (Jude Law) and other famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.  It's an intriguing look into the amazing task of reading, choosing (or rejecting) submitted manuscripts, seeing them through to publicaiton and then dealing with the writers themselves.  An exceptional cast headed by Firth, Law, Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney. Firth is outstanding.
A Bigger Splash is another movie to be seen. It's a triumph for Ralph Fiennes.  He's is a compelling ham, in a smash performance.  He and his daughter (Dakota Johnson) go to visit an old friend and lover (Tilda Swinton) and her younger lover.  Fireworks are mostly just below the surface and the reverie is smoldering.