“Immediate Family”, “LaRoy, Texas”, “Ali and Ava”, “Thelma” “Wild Things”

“Immediate Family” (2022 Amazon/Apple) is an absolutely delightful spirit- raising documentary focusing on four sessions musicians and the famous musicians of the 60’s and 70’s they backed. To name a few: Carole King, Phil Collins, Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt… For 1/1/2 blissful hours I am 22 and rockin’ (not in a chair!)

“LaRoy Texas” (2023 Amazon/Apple) Funny weird, very Coen Brothers-esque. Steve Zahn who I enjoyed in Treme (remember that fabulous series?) and White Lotus plays a well meaning, but bumbling dope just starting out as a private eye. It has all the ingredients of noir: femme fatale, dupe of a husband, and a scary, soulless villain. But it’s neo-noir and it’s a comedy. Very amusing.

“Ali and Ava” (2022 Kanopy or DVD) I really enjoyed this British contribution to the long line of Douglas Sirk’s “All that Heaven Allows”(1955) redo’s. Werner Herzog’s 1974 “Ali Fear Eats the Soul” is informed by Sirk’s melodramatic themes but changes the setting and some of the issues. Todd Haynes’ 2002 “Far From Heaven” is an homage to Sirk and the 1955 movie but with very different issues–at least on the surface. And now “Ali and Ava” seems to be an amalgam of Sirk’s and Herzog’s version with a bit of twist and a little lighter. And it is really a lovely film with endearing characters and great acting.

“Thelma” (2024 Amazon/Apple) Thelma is a 93 year old widow, living on her own, has most of her wits about her, and an adoring slacker grandson. But as you can imagine she has some physical limitations. The plot revolves around her determination to find the people who scammed her of $10,000, using a scheme you will recognize. I was a little reluctant to watch it because I feared “cuteness” or cliches about the elderly (very sensitive on those issues!), but as it turns out, it is a very watchable film based not on a real situation but on the filmmaker’s actual grandma.

“Wild Things” (1998 Netflix) If you are stoned and suspension of disbelief isn’t an issue, you might enjoy this truly dreadful cult classic film. Really, it’s evidence that without a lot of digging and guidance (nycynic,e.g.) you might see this and say “Hmm erotic thriller with Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, how bad could it be?” Very Bad, Awful, Unbelievably terrible, C- movie. Now, I bet you will want to watch it. Full disclosure: Midway through it I went to IMDB to find out the full plot and then fast forwarded to random ending scenes. It takes place in Florida so if you are a fan of alligators, you get to see an occasional one crawling through a swamp to symbolize the base and tawdry nature of humankind.

“Sing Sing” (2024 in theaters) I loved this movie so much that I barely noticed my Covid mask. I’m not going to review it–just want you to submit your comments. I will only say deeply moving and not manipulative. It stays with you.