Easter Parade Tribute Poem

“Easter Parade,” MGM’s glorious 1948 musical starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, is sheer entertainment from beginning to end. It’s one of the films I enjoy watching over and over again. Humor, star power, fabulous music, incredible dance routines, and a clever show-biz plot combine to make this offering a favorite for fans of movie musicals. Below is my tribute poem for this memorable motion picture from days of yore. 

Top of their game, Fred and Judy

sing and dance in perfect movie.

“Easter Parade” charms and delights

Lots of fun and other highlights.

Fred picks Judy for new duo,

teaching her what she ought to know

to replace Ann Miller. Oh yikes!

That’s not what Judy thought or likes.

But they work hard on their new act.

Dazzling viewers, and that’s a fact.

What will the great Ann Miller say?

Will she get in poor Judy’s way?

Terrific tunes engulf the screen.

Top performances in each scene.

“Easter Parade” evokes such joy.

It’s like a stunning shiny toy!

Chasing Your Dream

Neflix's movie Uncorked motivated me to write the film poem below.

Elijah tries to chase his dream

despite his father’s silent scream.

His mom supports him to the max

with no regrets and never lax.

Elijah wants to study wine

and helping people while they dine.

But his father has different plans.

So wine studies he quickly bans.

“Uncorked” offers this simple plot.

Happily, actors add a lot

to this drama film’s viewing time.

A good place here to end this rhyme.

(Released by Netflix and rated TV-MA. Read my entire review by clicking on this link:  http://www.reeltalkreviews.com/browse/viewitem.asp?type=review&id=9365.)

Just Mercy

It’s a treat to watch Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan bring their star power to an important film like Just Mercy.  This Warner Bros film, which is  based on a true story, opens on January 10, 2020. It’s rated PG-13 by MPAA.

On death row, an innocent man

has lost faith that anyone can

help him prove he is not guilty.

All he wants now is just mercy.

From out of town, a lawyer new

studies his case and finds a clue.

Still, prejudice stands in the way.

Racial attitudes hard to sway.

Foxx and Jordan become those two.

Splendid acting these men both do.

Just Mercy tells a true story.

It matters, folks. Be sure to see.

A Scary True Story

I know superhero movies are all the rage now. But for me, it’s more enjoyable viewing films about real-life heroes like Rob Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who took on a powerful chemical company with a record of environmental pollution. That's what Dark Waters is all about. 

As luck would have it, Bilott is played by Mark Ruffalo, an actor known for portraying The Hulk in recent movies. Unlike that superhero, Bilott doesn’t rely on physical force to deal with the bad guys. Instead, he uses brains, persistence and compassion. Ruffalo projects all that in this informative legal thriller directed by Todd Haynes.

Because Bilott’s job involves defending corporations, he can’t imagine himself taking on a case involving pollution by a big company. However, his grandmother asks him to help a friend who can’t get anyone to listen about what’s happening to his farm since a landfill next to him became a DuPont dumping ground. Chemicals from that dump are leaking into a body of water his cattle drink from, and his animals are dying.

As Bilott finds out more about this situation, he can’t say no. But little did he realize his battle would go on for years, and that it would involve much more than cattle as well as serious problems of his own.        

      

Watch “Dark Waters,” but be prepared

to get angry while being scared.

A true story, it tells the tale

of poisonings without a jail.

Stopping these deaths a lawyer tries.

His research reveals many lies

told by DuPont about their work.

Dangers in their chemicals lurk.

He takes on this case and the fight.

It’s not easy to do what’s right.

He and his wife face problems too.

If you were him, what would you do?

Courage and strength are required here.

Persistence helps to conquer fear.

Mark Ruffalo always comes through.

This role offers him something new.

He feels the part and does his best.

The Hulk in him gets needed rest.

Director Haynes moves the film along rather slowly, but there’s lots of complicated scientific information to cover – and it can’t be understood if presented in a hurry. Although Ruffalo carries the major acting burden, he’s helped by Anne Hathaway as his worried wife plus Tim Robbins and Bill Pullman as two sympathetic lawyers.

Dark Waters reveals how greed, corruption and indifference can devastate the environment, cause fatal illnesses,  and ruin people’s lives. It’s a very scary story.     

(Released by Focus Features and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)

Another Little Women Film To Praise

Let's hope Greta Gerwig’s marvelous version of Little Women doesn’t get lost amid all the flashier movies released during this holiday season. Opening on  Christmas Day, it’s a perfect cinematic gift.  So, of course, it deserves a poem.

The March sisters on screen again.

Greta Gerwig gives them a spin.

“Little Women” – a tale well-told

and led by Jo, the sister bold.

Saoirse Ronan plays that key role

with intellect and heart and soul.

This version skips around in time,

which ends up being quite sublime.

A lovely film for families.

Plus other viewers it should please.

Remakes often fail movie fans.

Pray this one’s safe from critic pans.

Netizens Film Poem

When will online harassment stop?

Anger keeps rising to the top.

Three women fight the internet.

But changing laws is hard to get.

“Netizens” shows justice denied

for women who are crucified

upon the cross of free speech taunts,

revenge websites, and other haunts.

A film that matters to us all,

“Netizens” boasts an urgent call

to understand the suffering

the “wild west” internet can bring.

On September 23, Netizens, directed and written by  Cynthia Lowen, is launching a multi-city screening tour, bringing the documentary to theaters in select cities across the United States, along with panels and Q&A’s with the director, subjects and experts. These screenings seek to engage the public about internet privacy and safety, and catalyze constructive responses from policymakers, law enforcement and tech companies. These community events screenings are supported by a robust suite of online tools to equip audiences to protect themselves and prevent harassment. Cities and dates are below.

Chicago: Kerasotes Showplace ICON, Monday 9/23 at 7:30 PM

Miami: United Artists Falls 12, Monday 9/30 at 7:30 PM

New York City: AMC Empire 25 Times Square, Monday 9/23 at 7:30 PM

San Francisco: Landmark Opera Plaza, Monday 9/23 at 7:30 PM

Washington, DC: Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14, Wednesday 9/25 at 7:30 PM

 

Vertigo Lament

It’s hard to believe the American Film Institute (AFI) named Vertigo as number 61 on its list of the 100 Greatest Films of All Time. What a disappointment! Whenever someone asks me to name my favorite films  the answer changes a bit depending on my mood. But one movie always makes it to the top five: Vertigo, released in 1958. I never get tired of watching Jimmy Stewart’s riveting obsession with Kim Novak in Hitchcock’s haunting psychological thriller about an acrophobic police detective who falls in love with two women. When the first one apparently dies, he becomes obsessed with turning the second woman, a lookalike, into a carbon copy of his first love – (SPOILER ALERT) only to find out later they were the same person. 

"Vertigo" named in the top five.

A worthy goal for which I strive.

Suspense, romance, and mystery

 that can’t be beat; not just for me.

Haunting music in the background,

captivates us with each rich sound.

Stewart and Novak at their best

in this amazing Hitchcock fest.

Reward the art and artists too.

Give true genius what it is due.  

Grand Cinema lives on display

in "Vertigo" still to this day.

Let It Be

Past music gone from memories—

Lyrics, rhythm and melodies

A blackout caused this mystery.

But one man was immune, you see.

Jack remembers each Beatles song.

Would stealing them be right or wrong?

A songwriter, performer too,

his career going down the loo.

Will Jack hold back these tunes so great?

Get on with it, don’t hesitate!

Fame and fortune then follow him.

His life no longer looking grim.

Yet guilt creeps in a bit each day.

How long can Jack go on this way?

Yesterday mines this gold so well,

we must fall under its sweet spell.

Joy of music in each scene glows.

The Beatles genius through it flows.

And when it’s done, you will still smile.

Just let it be – a film beguile.

  

Exquisite Poetry

Many thanks to author/poet Ronald Hull for his encouraging comment about my film poems. After reading my poem about Velvet Buzzsaw on AuthorsDen, Ron wrote, “I haven't told you lately that your poems are exquisite and capture the essence of the films you review beautifully.”

Below is my Velvet Buzzsaw poem.

ART FIGHTS BACK

Velvet Buzzsaw will chill your skin

when you find out the shape art’s in.

Jake Gyllenhaal in a strange role,

playing it to the hilt his goal.

This art critic thinks he’s the best.

His critiques beat all the rest.

But when he falls for dead man’s art

normal things start falling apart.

Zawe Ashton gets greedy here.

So we’re afraid to give a cheer.

Yet might we do the very thing

that she does for the golden ring?

John Malkovich, Rene Russo

add strong support. So here we go

along for such a scary ride

about what in ART we can’t abide. 

Praise for Willem Dafoe

It’s time to praise Willem Dafoe

for his work as Vincent Van Gogh.

Watching At Eternity’s Gate,

we see painting as Vincent’s fate.

Lush with color and shapes unique,

such artistry for one to seek!

His brother and Gauguin knew this,

while others the big prize did miss.

So painting for eternity

became Vincent’s true destiny.

His sunflowers and starry skies

now please most everybody’s eyes.

A film like this may move too slow.

And yet for me it seems to glow.

Scenes touch something down deep inside,

seeing how Vincent lived and died.

Timeless Sisterhood

Universal truths are as important today as they were back in the 1800s. That’s why Louisa May Alcott’s family-oriented classic novel Little Women has maintained its wide appeal for 150 years. This endearing story has been filmed many times before. But this new Little Women, directed and co-written (with Kristi Shimek) by Claire Niederpruem, is a modern retelling for a new generation.

Although I have enjoyed all the previous movie versions -- partially because the old-fashioned costumes and sets take me back in time -- I realize the most important element is the story of the March sisters. Happily, filmmaker Niederpruem has brought them into the 21st century, and I'm happy to report they are still as fascinating as ever!.             

Little Women brings laughs and tears.

A tale of old that’s switched its gears.

The time is now – not in the past.

Four sisters modernized at last.

But Jo is still the forceful one.

Writing’s her life, not just for fun.

Meg, the beauty. Beth, the dreamer.

Youngest Amy, once a schemer.

And Marmee, a dear mom again.

The gang’s all here. Another win.

No period costumes to see.

But look for new technology.

Time means nothing for sisterhood.

No matter when, it’s always good!

This movie helps us understand

why sisterhood is something grand.

(Released by Pinnacle Peak Productions/Pure Fix Entertainment and rated “PG-13” by MPAA.)            

Rave Review for Mamma Mia 2!

Attention, fans of Mamma Mia! Forget your worries about the questionable quality of a sequel to the wonderful film released ten years ago. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again should make you very happy. In fact, this second outing might be even better than the first. As an avid Mamma Mia fan, I’m not being sacrilegious. 

Both films are terrific, but Here We Go Again includes some delightful surprises, one of which has changed my opinion about the use of flashbacks in film storytelling. I’ve usually found that annoying. However, Mamma Mia 2 meshes them seamlessly and artistically into what’s happening on screen. 

Another surprise involves an actor named Hugh Skinner, who portrays Colin Firth’s character (Harry) as a young man. His musical comedy talent wowed me in the rousing “Waterloo” number and made me yearn for days of yore when we could look forward to many musicals each year.

Sequel or prequel, it’s okay.

Cheer MAMMA MIA all the way.

Great ABBA songs performed with flair.

Movies like this are so darn rare.

Location shots pleasure our eyes.

Romantic scenes evoke soft sighs.

A sense of fun takes us away

from cares we face most every day.

Here we go again, that’s sure true.

We see, enjoy and don’t feel blue.

So full of love and life and song,

MAMMA MIA 2 can’t go wrong.

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated “PG-13” for some suggestive material.) 

Fun Tap Dancing Film

Everyone loves to cheer for the underdog. If that underdog happens to be a wannabe tap dancer, I’m the loudest cheerleader of all. No wonder I’m so excited about Dance Baby Dance, written and directed by Stephen Kogon, who also plays the leading role in this delightful independent film. Movies about tap dancers don’t come along too frequently nowadays -- so whenever one shows up, I’m a happy camper.

The plot is simple. Jimmy (Kogon) always wanted to be a successful tap dancer but an injury has confined him to an office occupation. He’s never lost his passion for tap dancing and now hopes to be chosen for a touring dance show. Kogon endows Jimmy with such likability that we can’t help wanting this guy to be successful. Do his dreams come true? It’s worth watching Dance Baby Dance to find out. 

Although a low-budget offering with less than perfect production values, this film makes up for that with its great heart and passion for dance.

As a former tap dancer myself, I felt compelled to write the poem below. 

Just tap tap tap that old time step.

Give it pizzazz and lots of pep!

Or shuffle off to Buffalo.

It feels so good if fast or slow.

Then shimmy with real style and grace.

Remember this is not a race.

Next do some wings like it’s a dare.

Feet a-flyin’, hands circling air.

Tap dancing chases blues away.

It helps you get through every day.

So tap tap tap as time goes by.

“Dance Baby Dance” will make you try

(Released by Indie Rights/Winds of Hope. Not rated by MPAA.)

Hostiles Film Poem

Hostiles, a powerful Western, boasts memorable performances by Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike and Wes Studi. It motivated me to write the short poem below.

After bloodshed, battles and gore,

anger boils deep within one’s core.

True today as in our Old West

where everyone faced one big test.

Can trust be built with former foes?

An answer to that “Hostiles” knows.

Settler, Captain and solemn Chief

learn lessons while suffering grief

Kindness and strength pave ways to heal.

They open up hearts and help us feel.

This film may be one hard to see --

but it’s a great Western to me.

A Movie That Matters

Steven Spielberg’s The Post takes us back to a time when our government tried to stop the Pentagon Papers -- documents that exposed a cover up of U. S. actions regarding the Vietnam War and Southeast Asia -- from being published. This dramatic film pairs Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as Katharine Graham and Ben Bradlee, publisher and editor of The Washington Post, respectively. What a treat it is to watch these great actors play off each other as their characters work together during a major crisis for freedom of the press in our democracy!  I felt like a fly on the wall during their conversations and even forgot that it’s Hanks and Streep up there on the screen.

As someone who lived through this crisis while it played out in reality, I am surprised at how suspenseful The Post was for me to watch.

                   

Publish or not, they must decide.

Free press at risk, and it’s their guide.

“The Post” looks back to show the need

to make sure truth is there to read.

Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks play roles

that evoke cheers for their fine goals.

As editor and publisher,

they muster courage, that’s for sure.

An injunction stands in their way --

and prison if they don’t obey.

Though slow a bit with its tense plot,

this powerful film means a lot.

The Shape of Water Film Poem

A magical, poetic film titled “The Shape of Water” has been haunting me since watching it a couple of days ago. In fact, I couldn’t sleep at all the night before last because the poem below kept floating around in my head.

From waters deep the Creature came,

caught by a man who knows no shame

This Creature needs to be saved soon

or face the fate of certain ruin.

A daring mute might be the one

to rescue him when all is done.

Her love for him is true and strong.

She knows to kill him would be wrong.

A fairy tale told with great flair,

“The Shape of Water” makes us care. 

An Excellent Documentary

It gives me great pleasure to recommend a wonderful Netflix documentary titled Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. Griffin Dunne, Joan’s nephew, directed this intriguing journey through the remarkable career of an iconic writer whose work has covered America’s tumultuous social and cultural scene for over half a century. Because Griffin knows his famous aunt so well, his conversations with her come across as intimate and sincere. Plus, his choice of selections from Joan’s work -- as well as the friends and colleagues  to include in the film -- help us understand the powerful influence of this amazing woman. 

Even more important, however, is the subject herself. Now in her 80s, she listens carefully and makes sure her answers accurately depict what she’s thinking and feeling, similar to the way she writes.     

Joan Didion has earned great fame.

Her writing garners high acclaim.

She captures truth as time goes by

with elegance and cynic’s eye.

Journalist, author and playwright,

she composes to gain insight.

Watching Joan in this fine movie

becomes a gift of history.

She faces suffering and pain

but still goes on to work again.

A woman to admire, for sure.

Her unique writing will endure.

Sweet Bedtime Story

Jane Fonda and Robert Redford pair up beautifully in Our Souls at Night, a romantic Neflix film that makes my heart sing. And, of course, I couldn’t resist writing a poem about it.  

“Help me get through each night, neighbor?”

A strange request coming from her.

She’s asking him to share her bed,

but not for sex, just talk instead.

Spouses they lost sometime ago.

And romance hopes seem rather low.

But who knows what their future brings?

We hope it’s filled with lovely things.

OUR SOULS AT NIGHT – a sweet movie.

Fonda and Redford work for me.

They play these roles with style and grace

in this fine film not rushed for pace.

Each character we get to know.

We watch their friendship slowly grow.

This motion picture was for me

a special treat I loved to see.

A Night To Remember

Talk about a stroll down memory lane. No, I take that back. Watching Brave New Jersey was more like a time travel trip to a special 1938 October night when my cousins and I were enjoying our weekly ride in the backseat of Uncle Frank’s car. After about fifteen minutes, we got a bit rowdy so Aunt Elizabeth said, “Turn on the radio, Frank. Maybe that will calm these kids down.”

But instead of calming us down, the program we heard just happened to be the infamous Orson Welles’ dramatization of Martian attacks. Unfortunately we got in after the announcement at the beginning of the show. And, of course, like many other listeners who tuned in late  -- we thought this was a news broadcast. Well, you can imagine how frightened we were!

Uncle Frank decided that we would head to the hills and hide from the monsters. By the time we arrived in the small mountain community near our town, we heard the announcer explain about this dramatization – and we couldn’t stop laughing all the way home.     

Brave New Jersey is so much fun.

You’ll chuckle lots before it’s done.

It’s based on facts about a prank

that we have Orson Welles to thank.

His hoax fooled folks in days gone by.

It made them fear and scream and cry.

This comedy shows a small town

in panic searching space men down.

Though not one creature can be found,

these folks still try to hold their ground.

Some lives are changed by this big night.

For the better? Yes, that is right.

The film excels production-wise.

Period look should win a prize.

The actors fit their roles with ease.

Their funny actions aim to please!

Director/writer Jody Lambert uses the impact of the Welles radio broadcast as the backdrop for his amusing movie. He deserves kudos for putting together a wonderful, diverse cast and crew to create a film that looks as real as possible. The sets, costumes, autos, and hair/makeup made me feel like I was back in 1938. (Full disclosure: I’m one of the few folks still living who remember what things were like during that time period.)       

Brave New Jersey proves that nostalgia can be exciting as well as fun.