6 100-Word Movie Reviews

“A Light Beneath Their Feet” (2015), Director: Valerie Weiss, Actors: Madison Davenport, Taryn Manning

Mental health movies are important. Beth (Madison Davenport) must decide between attending the college of her dreams and staying home to care for her bipolar mother (Taryn Manning). Valerie Weiss directs a quiet, thoughtful drama that explores the complicated bond between a mother and daughter facing mental health illness. Manning delivers a powerful performance. Davenport and Manning got the roles for their chemistry. The film is unsettling at times and will make you angry. These emotions are okay. Don’t ever take advantage of someone’s mental illness. It’s also a film about making decisions. Make decisions that are right for you.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), Director: Vincent Minelli, Actors: Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien

Judy Garland movies are a treasure. Watching “Meet Me in St. Louis” made me smile. Garland’s song ‘The Trolley Song’ is a lively tune. I also cheered when she marched over to the neighbor's house to give him a piece of her mind. That’s called defense. Directed with charm by Vincente Minnelli, he gives the story the right tone of sincerity. There are several funny moments, mostly with the family. I like how the cook immediately took the soup plates away when everyone had only had one sip. We have to keep older movies in the general movie scope. They’re history.

“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” (1994), Director: Tom Shadyac, Actors: Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox

What would we do without the talented and hilarious Jim Carrey? He is a whirlwind of comedy who also knows how to ground himself. As the eccentric animal detective Ace Ventura, Carrey unleashes a barrage of rubber-faced expressions, physical gags, and quotable lines that define the film’s chaotic charm. Courtney Cox also stars in the film, right when “Friends” (1994) was starting. Director Tom Shadyac keeps the plot simple, but the outrageous humor keeps things lively. This is the type of film where you just need to shut off your brain and have a laugh. It’s a 90s comedy classic.

“My Week with Marilyn” (2011) Director: Simon Curtis, Actors: Eddie Redmayne, Michelle Williams

Marilyn Monroe has always fascinated me. She was my late aunt’s favorite actress. “My Week With Marilyn” is a look into the actress’s life. Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne) documents the tense filmmaking of The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). Since starring in this film, Michelle Williams has grown as an actress. She does a great job in the portrayal, but switches between her regular voice and Marilyn’s signature breathy tone. The film falls flat, becoming flat in the interactions between Clark and Monroe. It doesn’t demonstrate anything new about the actress. It is a brilliant biopic under Simon Curtis’s direction.

“11.22.63” (2016), Creator: Actors: James Franco, Sarah Gadon

If you say Stephen King, I will watch it. “11/22/63” is a gripping and emotional time-travel series. What if you could go back in time and change history? The question is, would it change anything? James Franco stars as Jake Epping, a teacher who travels back in time to stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Franco and Sarah Gadon (Sadie Dunhill) create a tender relationship. While the pacing occasionally slows, the story remains compelling thanks to the emotional stakes and Jake’s relationship with Sadie. The final two episodes are suspenseful as the characters race to their destination.

“Low Down” (2014), Director: Actors: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning

I thought “Low Down” was going to be a completely different film. Based on one minute of the trailer, it looked like it was about a father (John Hawkes) winning back his life to be a better role model for his daughter, Amy (Elle Fanning). Fanning has grown so much as an actress. The film meanders and skips the interesting and juicy plots for nonsensical storylines. Director Jeff Priess creates a hazy, atmospheric portrait of addiction and artistic struggle in 1970s Los Angeles. While the performances are solid and the mood authentic, the film is less engaged in its premise.