December: The Man Who Invented Christmas

After seeing the dazzling trailer for The Man Who Invented Christmas, I believe this is an ideal pick for our December outing (even though I'm not a big fan of Christmas). 

Starring Dan Stevens (Matthew in Downton Abbey) and Christopher Plummer as Ebenezer Scrooge, it's a - possibly true, possibly not - tale of how Charles Dickens wrote his timeless holiday novel. 

Here's how Stevens describes the film: "It is a magical realist story based on some truth about the period of time Charles Dickens spent in the run-up to publishing A Christmas Carol. I just thought it was a really fresh take on that whole world. Particularly in England, Dickens is placed on a pedestal. But the guy was, by turns, quite playful and childish and at times, a quite dark and not very pleasant man.”

The movie was directed by Bharat Nalluri (who also did the unforgettable Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) from a screenplay written by Susan Coyne, based on a non-fiction book of the same name by Les Standiford. Below is a terrific story about Coyne, a Torontonian who's racking up a track record that's beyond impressive.

TRAILER: http://ew.com/movies/2017/09/05/man-who-invented-christmas-trailer-dan-stevens-charles-dickens/

REVIEW: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/movies/review-in-the-man-who-invented-christmas-review-charles-dickens-dan-stevens.html

STORY ABOUT SCREENWRITER SUSAN  COYNE: 

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2017/11/23/susan-coynes-a-local-writer-on-a-roll.html

WHERE & WHEN: We'll see The Man Who Invented Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Yonge/Dundas Cineplex for the 1:35 screening. As always, we'll try to gather near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. For the benefit of new members who don't know how to recognize me, I will stand near the up escalator with some kind of Movie Club I.D. - but only until 1:25. As always, if you don't see me or other club members, go in and see the film on your own. 

Those who wish to nosh & natter afterwards will meet at the bottom of the escalators by the windows near the exit. Then we will walk to the nearby Spring Rolls restaurant (staying on the north side of Dundas, crossing Yonge, walking west on Dundas about half a block). 

N.B. NOTIFY ME no later than noon on Monday, Dec. 4, if you plan to join us so I can make a reservation for the correct number of people. N.B. Please do NOT notify me unless you're sure you will come to the restaurant. I say this because it's very embarrassing for me when I turn up with a reservation for, say 10 people and only six show up - as happened last month and several months before that. Gotta tell you, it's making me grumpy - and we don't want that, now do we?

November: Murder on the Orient Express

Our November pick is a remake of the 1974 film version of Agatha Christie's famous novel Murder on the Orient Express. We will see it at the Yonge/Dundas Cineplex on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for the 1:50 screening - gathering near the box office about 20 minutes earlier.
SYNOPSIS: What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. Thirteen strangers are stranded on a train, where everyone's a suspect. 
STARRING: Kenneth Branagh, who also directed, as Hercule Poirot. Also among the 13 suspicious characters are: Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe and Johnny Depp.
TRAILER: https://www.cinemaclock.com/movies/murder-on-the-orient-express-2017/videos/208292
REVIEW: http://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/11/10/murder-on-the-orient-express-review-2

October Pick: Victoria & Abdul

So, when I first chose our October pick, Victoria & Abdul, I was delighted that the timing of its Toronto release worked for us. Then they changed the date. So I switched us to Battle of the Sexes (depiction of the while-the-whole-world-watched 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs). 

Well, now that it's been confirmed that V&A will arrive in time for our October outing. So I'm switching back to V&A. Judging by its hilarious trailer, and knowing that "Queen" Judi Dench's performances are always must-see, this movie will be even more of a delicious treat than BoS - though I'm definitely going to see that one too.

SYNOPSIS: The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria's (Academy Award winner Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.

NOTE: If you're a fan of Eddie Izzard, as I most definitely am, you'll enjoy his outrageous (what else?) performance as Victoria's outraged son, "Bertie," who's champing at the bit to become king. 

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2Ph_9bGPs

STORIES ABOUT THE TRUE-LIFE RELATIONSHIP PORTRAYED IN THE FILM: 

http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Victoria-and-Abdul-Dench-looks-into-the-12230520.php

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/8349760/The-lost-diary-of-Queen-Victorias-final-companion.html

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/queen-victoria-and-abdul-real-story

September Pick: Tulip Fever

We're heading to the Netherlands back in the 1600s for our September outing to see Tulip Fever.  As the author of the bestselling novel of the same name explains in an interview below, it was a time when a craze broke out for betting big on which tulips would blossom first - red, white, orange, striped? 

Christoph Waltz, at his vexatious best, stars as a wealthy man who decides to have a portrait painted of his beautiful young wife, played by Alicia Vikander (who was terrific in The Danish Girl and Testament of Youth). The handsome young artist he chooses (played by Dane DeHaan) turns out to be irresistible to her. And the ever-watchable Judi Dench plays a nun who never hesitates to give advice.

The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015 but, for various reasons, took a long time to be released in cinemas. Rumours say that these included funding problems and censorship threats due to a surfeit of sexiness - which we'll judge for ourselves.

WHEN & WHERE: We'll see Tulip Fever on Tuesday, September 5, at the Varsity Cinema (Manulife Centre at Bay & Bloor) for the 1:30 screening - gathering, as always, near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. 

SYNOPSIS:  An artist falls for a young married woman while he's commissioned to paint her portrait during the tulip mania of 17th century Amsterdam.

TRAILER:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491203/videoplayer/vi3567696153?ref_=tt_ov_vi

INTERVIEW with Tulip Fever author: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-tulip-fever-took-20-years-reach-screen-guest-column-1033766

July Pick: The Big Sick

Summer's finally here, so how about a comedy for our July pick? The Big Sick, which we'll see at the Varsity Cinema (Manulife Centre, Bloor & Bay) for the 1:15 screening, is a comedy, yes. But according to multi-star reviews even in media outlets that don't sprinkle them around unless they have to, it's a comedy with some serious themes. Check out the synopsis and trailer below to see what I mean.

SYNOPSIS:

Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, THE BIG SICK tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) after one of his stand-up sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents. When Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) who he's never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart.

TRAILER:    https://www.cinemaclock.com/movies/the-big-sick-2017/videos

REVIEWS:   http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-big-sick-2017
                     https://www.vox.com/summer-movies/2017/6/21/15837678/big-sick-review-kumail-nanjiani-emily-gordon-zoe-kazan-islam

June Pick: My Cousin Rachel

Because nothing likely to interest us had arrived in time for the first Tuesday of this month, we're postponing our outing to the second Tuesday, June 13th, when we'll be seeing My Cousin Rachel. 

It's a remake of the 1952 version of the Victorian-era novel by Daphne du Maurier. Back then, Olivia de Haviland starred as a woman suspected by her cousin, played by Richard Burton, of evil doings. This time, Rachel Weisz takes the title role while Sam Claflin glowers as her suspicious cousin.

SYNOPSIS: 

A dark romance, the movie tells the story of a young Englishman who plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.

REVIEWS:

At this writing, no reviews of this new version of My Cousin Rachel had been published. So instead, especially for you true cinephiles, is Bosley Crowther's New York Times review of the original version:  

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9501EFDD1E3AE23BBC4E51DFB4678389649EDE

May Pick: The Circle

Our pick this month, The Circle, is a sci-fi thriller based on Dave Eggers' chillingly prophetic 2013 novel of the same name. Tom Hanks stars as the Steve Jobs-like mastermind at a seemingly benign company that a young programmer, played by Emma Watson, is overjoyed to join. That is until its overwhelmingly pervasive corporate culture makes her feel that Big Brother is not only watching but ... 'nuff said for now.

We'll be seeing The Circle at the Yonge-Dundas Cineplex on Tuesday, May 2, for the 1:15 screening. As always, we'll try to meet near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. But if don't see me or other club members when you arrive, just go in and watch the movie. 

SYNOPSIS:  When Mae (Emma Watson) is hired to work for the world's largest and most powerful tech & social media company, she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime. As she rises through the ranks, she is encouraged by the company's founder, Eamon Bailey (Tom Hanks), to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics and ultimately her personal freedom. Her participation in the experiment, and every decision she makes begin to affect the lives and future of her friends, family and that of humanity.

TRAILER:  https://www.cinemaclock.com/ont/toronto/movies/the-circle-2017/videos

REVIEW:  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/movies/the-circle-review-emma-watson-tom-hanks.html?_r=0

April Pick: The Zookeeper's Wife

A suspenseful WWII-era drama is our April pick. Based on a true story, The Zookeeper's Wife focuses on the incredibly dangerous strategy undertaken by a woman who, with her husband, is in charge of the Warsaw Zoo. Their chosen mission is to shelter as many people and animals as possible from Nazi brutality. Jessica Chastain (Oscar-nominated for her stunning work in The Help) stars in the title role.

We'll be seeing the film at the Varsity Cinema (ManuLife Centre, Bay & Bloor) on Tuesday, April 4, for the12:00 screening. As always, we'll gather near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. If you don't see me or other Movie Club members, just go in and watch the film and meet us afterward if you plan to nosh & natter at Scaccia downstairs.

SYNOPSIS: The time is 1939 and the place is Poland, homeland of Antonina Zabinski and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski. The Warsaw Zoo flourishes under Jan's stewardship and Antonina's care. When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck. The Zabinskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save the lives of hundreds from what has become the Warsaw Ghetto.

TRAILER: http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/280849,Film-about-WarsawZoo-couple-who-saved-Jews-to-premiere-in-2017

REVIEW: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-zookeepers-wife-2017

March Pick: The Last Word

For those of us in need of some wry laughs just now, thanks to the weather and the inescapable politics down south - count me in - I've chosen a comedy called The Last Word, which stars Shirley MacLaine as ... well, read the synopsis and review below and you'll get the idea.

We'll be seeing the film at the Varsity Cinema (ManuLife Centre, Bay & Bloor) on Tuesday, March 14, for the 2:00 screening. As always, we'll gather near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. If you don't see me or other Movie Club members, just go in and watch the film and meet us afterward if you plan to nosh & natter at Scaccia downstairs.

SYNOPSIS:  In The Last Word, Shirley MacLaine is Harriet Lauler, a once successful businesswoman in tight control of every aspect of her life. As she reflects upon her accomplishment, she's suddenly inspired to engage a young local writer, Anne Sherman (Amanda Seyfried), to pen her life's story. When the initial result doesn't meet Harriet's high expectations, she sets out to reshape the way she is remembered, with Anne dragged along as an unwilling accomplice. As the journey unfolds, the two women develop a unique bond which alters not only Harriet's legacy, but also Anne's future.

• CAST: Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried, Thomas Sadoski, Philip Hall, Gedde Watanabe, Tom Everett Scott 
• 
  

TRAILER: https://www.cinemaclock.com/ont/toronto/movies/the-last-word-2017/videos

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REVIEW - NOW Magazine:  The Last Word stars Shirley MacLaine, gloriously grumpy - and appealing - as Harriet Lawlor, a former ad executive who wants to edit her own obit. She enlists the help of the obit writer at her local daily (Amanda Seyfried), who quickly discovers that there isn't a person who's crossed Harriet's path that has a nice thing to say about her. That's okay with Harriet, who decides she'll just start doing the kind of stuff that generates an inspiring obit. Surprise - she turns out to have a heart beating under all that bravado. MacLaine dominates with her kick-ass energy and Seyfried is convincingly pissed off and teary in all the right places. Sure, the pic is a by-the-numbers heartwarmer whose every narrative move you can predict 10 minutes before it unfolds. But it also has MacLaine.

February Pick: The Founder

After the annual flurry of terrific movies released during the holidays, there's a virtual dearth of good ones opening by the first Tuesday of February. So, with apologies to any club member who's already seen it, I chose a movie that opened a week or so ago for our February pick. 

It is The Founder, for which star Michael Keaton is (as usual) drawing rave reviews. He plays Ray Kroc, the oddball whose epiphany about what a game-changer fast food franchising could be, turned a tiny business into a global behemoth.

We'll be seeing The Founder at the Yonge/Dundas Cineplex for the 1:45 screening - meaning that, as always, we'll try to gather near the box office about 20 minutes earlier. Those who wish to nosh & natter after seeing the film will do so at Spring Rolls.

SYNOPSIS:  The true story of how Ray Kroc (Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.

TRAILER:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2uz2XYkbo 

REVIEWS: 
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/peter-travers-the-founder-movie-review-w455928

http://observer.com/2017/01/the-founder-review-michael-keaton-rex-reed/

January Pick: La La Land

If you've waited to see La La Land, which is being called a "musical masterpiece" that hearkens back to those wonderful all-dancing all-singing films so many of us love, your reward is to see it with your fellow Movie Club members. 

We'll do so on Tuesday, January 10, at the Yonge/Dundas Cineplex for the 1:20 screening (meeting, as always, near the box office about 20 minutes earlier). Here are the deets about a flick that's being touted for Oscar gold this year.


SYNOPSIS:  Director Damien Chazelle, who made his first big splash with Whiplash, has his characters "dare to swoon the old-fashioned way," as Variety's review described the movie. 

“La La Land,” the review goes on to say, "is set in contemporary Los Angeles, but its heart and soul are rooted in the past, and so are its characters: Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a sleek jazz pianist in silk ties who’s a cranky purist about what he listens to, what he plays, and where he plays it, and Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress and playwright who’s deep into the magic of the old movie stars, though she’s a tad less obsessive about her fixation. 

"She works as a barista on the Warner Bros. lot and is always cutting out of work to get to auditions; if one of them ever resulted in her landing an acting job, she’d probably be ecstatic no matter what it was. These two meet, scuffle, and fall in love, and they do it through a series of song-and-dance numbers, composed by Justin Hurwitz (the lyrics are by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul), that are tenderly shocking in their catchy anachronistic beauty. The film’s score is such a melodious achievement that there are moments it evokes the bittersweet majesty of George Gershwin." You can read the entire Variety review at: http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/la-la-land-review-venice-ryan-gosling-emma-stone-1201846576/.

TRAILER:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdqf4P9MB8